Ralph Robert"Bob" Smoot

Colonel (Ret) Ralph Robert (Bob) Smoot

Colonel Ralph Robert (Bob) Smoot, born January 17, 1938, was called home to his lord and savior August 24, 2021. Colonel Smoot proudly served in the US Army for 28-1/2 years from 1961 to 1989. During his service, he served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam and Korea; in 1963 as Platoon Leader, 330th Heavy Aircraft Maintenance and Supply and again in 1966 serving aboard the USS Corpus Christi Bay, the Army’s only floating aircraft maintenance facility.  In 1971, he as assigned as the Installation Transportation officer in Yongsan, Korea. 

In 1975, he attended Command and General Staff College.  Upon Graduation he was assigned to Fort Bragg where he held several positions in the Support Command. In 1982, he was assigned as Director of Industrial Operations, U.S. Army Garrison, Honshu, Japan.  In May, 1983 he assumed command of U.S. Army Garrison, Honshu, Japan.

Col. Smoot returned to Fort Bragg in 1985 where is served the remainder of his career as Assistant Chief of Staff, G4, XVIII Airborne Corps. Colonel Smoot’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Vietnam Service Medal (4 campaigns) and the Parachute Badge.

            After retirement, Bob enjoyed camping, fishing and golf with friends and family.  He served as the State Manager for the NC Holiday Rambler Club for 15 years and served as Emcee for most club rallies. He was a big hit with his joke telling and performance of the Airborne Shuffle. He served his community and neighborhood with as much pride and vigor as he served in the military, always willing to donate his time and resources to help the greater good. For those he thought highly of, he called them “Super Human Beings”. With his booming laugh and bigger heart “The Super Human Being” will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Gladys Butler Smoot of Fayetteville, NC and daughters Kimberly Dawson (husband Greg of Lexington, SC) and Jennifer Vick (husband Todd of Fayetteville, NC).  He was proud Pappa to 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Richard Culbertson (wife Rhonda) of Lafayette, Indiana and Wilburn Culbertson of New Castle Indiana. He was preceded in death by his sister Rosemary Griggs and parents Anna and Robert Smoot.

Services will be Sunday Aug. 29, 2021 at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:45 with a Memorial service following at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, the family ask donations be made to the Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis Va.                                                                                                                                              

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