Robert Dalton Smart

WOLFEBORO, NH  

Robert Dalton Smart, 83, affectionally known as “Bob,” of Wolfeboro passed away on August 4, 2019 after a prolonged illness. 

Bob grew up in North Quincy, MA and graduated from North Quincy High School.  He ran track and was an Eagle Scout.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and the Degree of Civil Engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; he was a licensed Professional Engineer in several states.  While attending MIT, Bob met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Rodden of Salem, MA on a blind date at the Boston Pops with Arthur Fiedler.  A true patriot, Bob considered it a privilege to serve his country in the United States Navy, Civil Engineer Corps, for 20 years retiring as a Commander.  While in the Navy, Bob and his family moved 14 times; among his many assignments, he was a deep sea diver, served in Vietnam, and was an Ocean Engineering instructor at the United States Naval Academy.  After retiring from the Navy, Bob served as Director of Facilities at Princeton University for 20 years.   

Bob first visited the Lakes Region as a teenager; he and Betty vacationed in Wolfeboro for over 25 years before retiring to Wolfeboro in 1998.  He loved the lake, photography, and was a model train enthusiast; he enjoyed daily hikes on Cotton Valley trail whatever the season.  His joy in life was having his grandchildren visit and spend time in New Hampshire.  Wolfeboro, Lake Wentworth, and his community of local friends held a special place in his heart.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty.  He was predeceased by a brother and sister in law, Ronald and Susan Smart.  He is survived by his siblings, Dalton (Jane) Smart of FL, Sandra (John) Bailey of MA, and Michael (Yorie) Smart of MN; his six children, Donald (Andrea) Smart of NJ, Maureen (Brian) McAloon of CA, Tom (Carolyn) Smart of IL, John (Jane) Smart of VA, Jim (Joanne) Smart of NJ, and Barbara (Tom) Linko of NJ; 14 grandchildren, Ryan (Tamara), Gayle, Cathryn, Timothy, Laura, Britney, Patrick, William, Caroline, Michael, Kenneth, Kevin, Colleen, and John; and two great-grandchildren, Isabella and Skylar.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Alton, NH on August 24 at 11 AM.  Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to Hands Together of Haiti (handstogether.org).

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