Robert Leland Smith of Chenango Bridge passed away on July17th.  Born Dec. 29, 1921 in Queens, N.Y., he was the son of Leland and Cecilia Smith of New York City, both of whom passed away by the time he was 16. He lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. from age 2 to 21. He married Elizabeth “Elsie” Mackenzie Geddes at the First Presbyterian Church of New York City, on May 15, 1943. He is survived by sons, Leland A. Smith and wife Nancy, of Pittstown, N.J.; Douglas L. Smith of Chenango Bridge, Bruce M. Smith of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Scott J. Smith of Galesville, Md. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer E. Smith and husband Jeffery McCarthy of  Washington, D.C.; Ashley M. Smith of London, England; Laura J. Dodd and husband Samuel of Seattle, WA,; Justin Smith of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Mackenzie Smith of Charleston, S.C.;  Devon Smith of  Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and Leroy and wife Melinda Smith of Wyoming, Michigan, plus great-granddaughters, Julia M. McCarthy and Caroline E. McCarthy of Arlington, VA.; and one cousin Douglas W. Rittenhouse of Raleigh, N.C.

He graduated from Adelphi Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y in 1939, and from  Columbia University School of Engineering of in January 1943 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.  He was employed from 1943 until 1949 by the Vought-Sikorsky Division of United Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, Connecticut where he worked on wing design for Navy Fighter aircraft. In March of 1949, he joined Link Aviation Devices in Binghamton, New York, and remained there with their successors until he retired on June 30, 1989. During his employment at Link he helped design the aviation simulators used to train pilots and astronauts, including the Apollo crew that made the first landing on the moon. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton for over 60 years where he served as a Sunday school teacher, member of the Christian Education Committee, member of the Session, and seven years as Church Treasurer. He served on the Board of Education of the Chenango Valley Central School District for 22 years, and was Scout Master for Cub Scott Pack 153 in Chenango Bridge for 12 years. He served on a  Volunteer Review Board of the Broome County United Way for six years, and on the Environmental Review Board of the Town of Chenango for 8 years. A memorial service will be held at a later date.   

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