Robert Franklin Smith
b. 1 June 1858, d. 1 August 1931
- Father: J. Lyle Smith
- Mother: Sarah Murray
- Robert Franklin Smith was born on 1 June 1858 in Walker County, Texas, or possibly Houston County.
- He married Anna Vasser, daughter of William H. Vasser and Dora B. Abercrombie, circa 1904.
- Robert Franklin Smith and Anna Vasser appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in College Station, Brazos County, Texas.
- He was teaching at A&M College, according to the 1920 census.
- Robert Franklin Smith and Anna Vasser appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in College Station, Brazos County, Texas, at College Park with one domestic servant and two roomers, single women working at the college.
- He was a college math professor, according to the 1930 census.
- Robert Franklin Smith died on 1 August 1931 at age 73 in College Station, Brazos County, Texas, at A&M University . His death was officially witnessed by Anna Vasser.
- He was interred at Bryan City Cemetery, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas.
- The following appeared on 2 August 1931 in The Dallas Morning News: (College Station) Robert Franklin Smith, 73, professor of methematics at A. & M. College and holding the longest continuous service record of any faculty member of the college, died suddenly here Saturday as he wes preparing to go home for lunch. /P/ He suffered what was described as possibly acute dilation of the heart shortly after leaving the Academic Building. He fell to the ground and died almost immediately. He had been subject in recent years to heart trouble and only a few days ago had suffered from a fainting spell. /P/ In addition to his wife, Professor Smith is survived by two daughters Mary Elizabeth and Anna Frances; four sisters and two brothers. /P/ Professor Smith, a native of Houston County, was born June 1, 1858. He attended school at old Austin College at Huntsville and graduated from Sam Houston normal there in 1881. Following graduation he was superintendent for a year of the Willis public schools and came to A. & M. as assistant professor of mathematics in 1882. His record of forty-nine years' continuous service at A. & M. is longer than that of any other faculty member of the college. /P/ Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the family residence in College Park, with burial in Bryan Cemetery. The Rev. Arthur Hyde of Bryan, assisted by the Rev. E. C. Boynton of Huntsville, will conduct the services. /P/ Mrs. Smith, who was in Huntsville at the time of his death, arrived Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Misses Harriet, Mary and Emma Smith, sisters of Professor Smith. Another sister, Mrs. E. D. Hamner of Austin, and two brothers, Urbin Smith of Dallas and the Rev. G. Lyle Smith of Waurika, Ok., are expected for the funeral.
- The following appeared on 3 August 1931 in The Dallas Morning News: Funeral services for Robert Franklin Smith, professor of mathematics at Texas A. & M. College and a member of the college faculty for nearly fifty years, were held Sunday afternoon at the faculty residence here. In addition to the large number of A. & M. faculty members, headed by President T. O. Walton, fifteen or more faculty members of the Sam Houston State Teachers' College of Huntsville, where Professor Smith attended school, headed by President H. F. Estill, were present. Friends from Bryan and elsewhere swelled the number of those who gathered to honor his memory. /P/ Floral tributes filled two rooms at the faculty residence. An unusually large funeral cortege proceeded from the family residence to the Bryan Cemetery where burial was made. Services were conducted by the Rev. Arthur Hyde of Bryan, assisted by the Rev. E. C. Boynton of Huntsville. /P/ In addition to his wife and two daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Anna Frances, relatives present included Misses Harriet, Mary and Emma Smith of Huntsville and Mrs. E. D. Hamner of Austin, sisters, and Urbin Smith of Dallas and the Rev. G. Lyle Smith of Waurika, Ok., brothers.
- Last Edited: 6 Feb 2009