Robert A. Smith

He was born on November 7, 1944 in Lake Charles, LA. He was the son of Terrell A. and Doris (Rosteet) Smith.

He was a graduate of Landry Memorial High School in 1962. He later received a bachelor degree in Business Administration from McNeese State University in 1966 and received a Master of Science Degree in management from the University of Arkansas in 1975. Col. Smith was a graduate of the Squadron Officer School, the Air Command Staff College and the National Security Management course from the National Defense University.

In June of 1986 Col. Smith became the Space Division Director of Satellite Systems and was the division Chief on the GPS program. He helped develop the GPS system as we know it today. He received the Meritorious Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Medal, Organizational Excellence Award, the Air Force Longevity Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, small arms Marksmanship award and the Air Force RNG Ribbon. He retired from the Air Force in 1992. During retirement, he managed the Bookstore at Ste. Marie Church.

He had been a member of Ste. Marie Church for over 20 years and currently is a member of Our Lady of the Cedars Church.

Member of his family include his beloved wife of over 40 years, Barbara (Kilburn) Smith of Merrimack, NH; a daughter, Laurie Carraturo and her husband, Michael, of Trumbull, CT; and a son, Stephen A. Smith and his wife, Amy, of Amherst, NH; three grandchildren, Ellie and Ethan Carraturo and Kaitlyn Hansen.

The funeral liturgy was celebrated on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Our Lady of the Cedars Melkite Church: 140 Mitchell St., Manchester, NH.

Burial with Air Force Military Honors followed at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.

Memorial donations may be made to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Two Mill Road Suite 106, Wilmington, DE 19806