Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 01-10-2012 09:35 PM               

---

I just received an email from chief Grumman test pilot Bob Smyth's wife Sally informing me Bob passed away this afternoon. He had a stroke some time back, seemed to be recovering and then hurt himself in a fall from which he did not recover.

Bob flew the first flights of the A2F (that became the A6 Intruder), the F-14 (from which he had to eject on the second flight) and the Gulfstream G-2.

RIP Bob and heartfelt prayers to Sally and his sons.

Posts: 186
From: Atco, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009

Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

Posts: 628
From: Alexandria, VA USA
Registered: May 2006

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

Posts: 586
From: Germany
Registered: Apr 2005

Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 01-11-2012 09:54 AM               

---

It was late when I typed and I forgot to add that he was instrumental in the LM program at Grumman as well, and was in the process of developing a Rover that was not used. It was really bug, like a bulldozer that pulled a large rear section.

Somewhere I have a great pic of him and others from Grumman with Dick Gordon.

Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 01-11-2012 12:21 PM               

---

We here at Gulfstream mourn the loss of one of our own (Bob retired from Gulfstream here in Savannah).

While Cheryl and I were at Spacefest in 2007 we talked to Bob about our times together at Gulfstream (we were a much smaller company back it those days and we all knew each other).

I found out at Spacefest just how much input he had on the Lunar Module cockpit. We talked about it and I asked him why his name did not appear in the book on the LM that was all the rage in the space community at the time.

His answer was they had the wrong guy named in the book, but here is the kicker for me, he said "but I know what I did and that is all that matters."

Bob was a guy who could have blown his own horn, and rightfully so, but he took the high road and stayed humble. He was a great guy I wish I could have spent more time with him. His passing hurts, fly high Bob.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth... Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Posts: 831
From: Northampton UK
Registered: Nov 2009

Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004

posted 01-11-2012 02:25 PM               

---

Really saddened to learn of Bob Smyth's passing. I greatly enjoyed meeting him and talking with him at Spacefest 2007.

Below is the photo Al aluded to... Not just Dick Gordon in the photo but Pete Conrad too (Bob is directly behind Pete Conrad in the shot).

A real gentleman... His passing will be deeply felt within the aerospace community.

Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000

Posts: 528
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002

Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

Posts: 691
From: Monticello, KY USA
Registered: Mar 2007

Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999

Posts: 719
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006

Posts: 946
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 02-12-2012 02:20 PM               

---

.

May God Bless his family during this difficult time.