Obituary of Roberta Bobbe Smith

Roberta “Bobbe” Smith, 88, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee passed away on July 9, 2012 in Belfast, Maine. She was born in Hyattstown, Maryland on April 24, 1924, the daughter of Edwin and Maud (Dowden) Burdette. Bobbe graduated from the University of Maryland in 1944. She went on to teach physical education at Grove City College in Pennsylvania for 3 years where she met her future husband, David W. Smith. After their marriage in Bethesda, MD they relocated to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where she taught Physical Education for 24 years at middle schools and high schools in the area. She taught and coached swimming and was active in Master’s swimming competition for 10 years from 1973 to 1983. Bobbe also wrote a weekly swim column published in the Oak Ridger and co-authored a book titled “Not Afraid to Wade: a Complete Book of Masters Swimming.” She founded the “Swimmin’ Wimmin” swim team in Oak Ridge, which she actively coached until her passing. Bobbe’s passion was teaching and coaching swimming, for which she was recognized by induction into the Oak Ridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. She was also very involved with her church, United Church, The Chapel on the Hill, as well as the Appalachian chapter of the American Red Cross, which recognized her as one of its Humanitarian Heroes. Bobbe travelled extensively and was a success in all she put her hand to. She touched many lives and will be missed by many. She is predeceased by her parents and her husband David. She is survived by her sisters Mary Jane Hess of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Woodie Coffey of New Bern, North Carolina; several nieces and nephews with whom she was very close; and friend Daphne Hall of Oak Ridge. Memorial services will be held at United Church The Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on Saturday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m. A reception celebrating her amazing life will immediately follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in her memory to the American Red Cross 908 Oak Ridge Tpke, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, or to the United Church the Chapel on the Hill 85 Kentucky Ave. Oak Ridge TN 37830. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home 182 Waldo Ave. Belfast, ME 04915. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com