Robert Rea Smith

Robert Rea (Bob) Smith passed away at home on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at age 78. His wife Heidi was by his side. He had been ill for a number of months and was cared for by his family and many devoted nurses and aides from Visiting Nurses and Hospice. His family wishes to thank Dr. Mary Patz, Dr. William Morris, Dr. Aran Nichol, Dr. Maly Oron, and Dr. Morgan Magid for their exceptional efforts and support.

Bob was born in Vancouver, British Columbia to American parents working for Safeway Foods. When Bob's father was called to serve in World War II, Bob and his mother returned to the family farm in Mesa, Arizona. After his father's service ended, the family moved to Whittier, CA where his father resumed work as a plant manager for Safeway.

Bob attended local schools, and spent summers with his grandparents on their farm in Mesa. He attended Cal State Fullerton, majoring in electronics and journalism. He enlisted in the Naval Reserves during the Vietnam conflict and was honorably discharged in 1971 after 5 years of service. His first assignment was on the USS Bainbridge, and his second assignment was on the Battleship New Jersey. As an information aide in a war zone, he was required to renounce his Canadian citizenship. He won the California Press Photographer's Association award for his photograph of the New Jersey's guns firing toward Vietnam.

Upon his return from the Navy, he worked as a crime reporter in San Bernardino County and lived in Blue Jay, near Lake Arrowhead. In 1973 he was hired by the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian as a general assignment reporter for the Cabrillo Times and Green Sheet. He covered Capitola City Council meetings, and special districts such as fire, water, sanitation, and library. He also wrote about the local state parks. During this time, he served on the Nisene Marks Park advisory committee and was part of the Begonia Festival organizing team.

Bob was a private pilot, avid reader, and first-rate photographer. In 1977 he married Heidi Jaeger, a librarian who he met at the Aptos library. Their daughter Karen was born in 1980, and as a family they enjoyed many travels and special times together, including his daughter's ice skating competitions.

Over the years, Bob's newspaper assignments changed. He became the wire editor and systems editor for the Pajaronian. In 1997 he accepted a position in the IT department at the Santa Cruz Sentinel. He retired from the Sentinel in 2007 at age 65, having spent over 35 years in the newspaper industry.

In retirement Bob enjoyed visiting family and friends, reading, and taking numerous photography workshops. His photos were included in a collection used to raise funds for the restoration of Mission San Antonio. He also loved playing with his granddaughter, Fiona.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Rea Smith, Sr., his mother, Blanche Keebler Smith, and his nephew David Smith. He is survived by his wife Heidi Jaeger Smith of Soquel, and daughter Karen Smith MacMillan, son-in-law John MacMillan, and granddaughter Fiona Rea MacMillan of Ben Lomond. He is also survived by his brother Jim and sister-in-law Laura of Diamond Bar, CA, and their children Steven, Genette and family, and his brother Richard and sister-in-law Colleen of Roanoke, VA, and their son Robert and family.

At Bob's request, there will be no services. Family members will gather later this year to remember and celebrate his life. He will be interred at the Santa Cruz Memorial Park – Mission Chapel. Donations in his memory may be made to the First Amendment Coalition, Visiting Nurses, or Hospice.

Published in The Pajaronian · July 2, 2021