L. Robert “Rob” Smith, M.D

L. Robert “Rob” Smith, M.D. of Haddonfield, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 9th after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease and pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Robbie, with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughters, Lauren Danner (Eric), and Claire Smith (Tim Warrington), his niece, Kari Elassal, and his grandson and number one fan, Benjamin. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother.

Rob was born in Jackson, Michigan. He worked from a young age and throughout school, and he knew since he was a child that he wanted to become a doctor. Rob attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate studies and later received his medical degree from Wayne State University, proudly graduating as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. After medical school, Rob completed his internship at Henry Ford Hospital. In 1968, he entered the US Army. Major Smith was honorably discharged in 1971. After his military service, Rob continued his medical training, completing his dermatology residency at the University of Minnesota, where he met the love of his life. Together, they moved to Washington, D.C. and Rob fulfilled a dermatopathology fellowship at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at Walter Reed. After moving to Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, Rob spent time as an Associate Professor in Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania and at Children’s Hospital before going into private practice.

Rob practiced in the Vineland area, where he was dedicated to his patients and his profession for 42 years. His practice and his patients were, by far, the highlight of his storied career. He always said that he was “blessed” because he loved what he did and never tired of caring for his patients.

Rob was a generous, humble man; quiet, patient, and thoughtful. He believed strongly in service to others and gave freely of his time and talents. As much as he was committed to his career, the thing that Rob loved most was being a husband, father, and friend. He gifted his family and friends with his generosity, steady presence, wonderful sense of humor, and sharp wit. Friends were always family. Rob never missed a recital or a concert and was always involved in his daughters’ activities and important moments. Family is and was, above all, the most important thing.

Rob met each of life’s adversities with grace, determination, strength of character, and unparalleled resilience. His motto when facing any challenge, right up to the end, was “One day at a time.” He also always said, “What he lacked in skill, he made up for in perseverance!” Over the years, Rob spent his free time traveling with his wife and children, spending weekends at the Jersey shore, serving others on numerous medical mission trips to Guatemala and Africa, skiing the Rockies, riding camels in Egypt, scuba diving in Roatan, enjoying the warmth in Florida, and doting on his grandson.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Rob’s life and legacy on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield, where he was a longtime member. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rob’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (Michael J Fox Foundation).