Robert G. Smith Obituary

Robert Glenn Smith, 95, of Wakefield, RI, formerly of Manhattan, passed away on December 24, 2017.
He was the husband of the late Maggie Silver.
Born in Schenectady, NY, he grew up in Ridgewood, NJ. A champion tennis player, archer, and marks-man, he was the son of the late Hugh L. and Mary E. (Beebe) Smith.
Mr. Smith graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy in 1944 at Kings Point, and served on var-ious ships and maritime posts in the Mediterranean and South Pacific during WWII remaining until 1947. Returning home, he considered career prospects in the Maritime Service but chose instead to complete his studies in Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, graduating in 1951.
He began his design career while at Pratt working summers for Jay Doblin and Carl Otto. This was fol-lowed by 3 years as Assistant to VP Merchandising at Heritage Henredon Furniture Co. He then be-came designer with Harley Earl Associates, in Detroit. This lead to Account Design Manager for Ray-mond Loewy Associates. In 1959 he joined Lippincott and Margulies in NYC for 9 years, becoming VP of Product Development & Design. From 1967-1983 he was the Manager of Product Development & De-sign and then Chairman of JC Penny Design System. He designed a new product and development de-partment for JC Penny for all visual communications and corporate image from the design of hard goods (everything from power tools to sewing machines) to its logo, store design, and advertising.
In 1974 the company was awarded the IDSA Award for Advancement of Design for this program. He served as the President of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) from 1981-1983. Upon retir-ing, he taught the History of Industrial Design at RISD for 5 years.
He displayed a positive attitude, and remained active and interested in art, politics, and current events with a curiosity about people and the world around him, throughout his life. An avid painter, sailor, gardener, and chef who loved being with friends and family. His ready smile, intellect and sense of humor will be missed.
He is survived by two daughters; Leslie Smith of Bethel, CT and Lindsey Smith Hill of Newport, RI, their mother and former wife Betty (Wambaugh Smith) Saco of Oxford, CT; step-father of John Levine of Northampton, MA, Anne Levine of Newton, MA, Marc Levine of Fairfield, CT, and Dr. James Levine of Granby, MA; grandfather of Sara Jackson, Lily Levine, Sam Kooris, Evan Smith, Natalie Levine Babich, Stephen Paolin, Jeremy Levine and Maya Levine; and great grandfather to three.
A Celebration of Robert’s Life with Military Honors will be held on January 20th. In lieu of flowers dona-tions in his name can be given to RI PBS, Doctors Without Boarders or The American Legion.