1 November 1933 - 15 March 2006
Robert
M. Smetherman, age 72, died after a very brief illness on Wednesday,
March 15, 2006. A popular, long-time professor, Dr. Smetherman taught
Latin American history at California State University, Fresno for 29
years from 1967 through 1996. The youngest child of Jesse and Lucille
Fox Smetherman, Bob was born in Caldwell, ID. After his father's
untimely death when Bob was only seven, his family ultimately moved to
Pasadena in order to live with his aunt, Ella Munhall. Bob attended
junior high and high school, as well as junior college, in Pasadena. He
earned his Bachelor's degree at Claremont Men's College in Claremont,
CA. He was stationed in Korea during his U.S. Army service from 1955 to
1957. After Bob's military service, he began his graduate studies and
earned a Master of Arts degree at California State University, Los
Angeles. He completed his Ph.D in Latin American History at Claremont
Graduate School in 1967. He met his wife, formerly Bobbie Braly, when
both were students in a Latin American Politics seminar at Claremont
Graduate School. Throughout his long teaching career, Bob was very
active in the American Association of University Professors. He was
committed to the principles of faculty governance and held various
offices in the Faculty Senate. Bob was an avid tennis player and skier,
continuing both activities until just days before his death. One of his
greatest pleasures was helping his seven year old grandson learn to ski
this winter. He was also a fan of traditional jazz. He was preceded in
death by his parents and sister. He is survived by his wife Bobbie;
daughter, Jill Rehder; and grandchildren Erik and Sophie. He is also
survived by his older brother, Ellis Smetherman and his wife Lou, and
their sons Monte and Jeffrey. We invite his friends, colleagues,
neighbors and former students to join in "Celebrating" Bob's life at
the Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club, 4722 N. Maroa Avenue in Fresno,
CA, on Friday, March 24, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. Please come dressed
casually (Bob hated ties!). We encourage you to share humorous memories
of Bob. In lieu of flowers, please make remembrances to the Robert M.
Smetherman Scholarship Fund, Attn. History Department, CSU Fresno.
CHAPEL OF THE LIGHTFuneral HomeFresno 233-6254