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Robert Hallock “Hal” Smith

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Robert Hallock “Hal” Smith

Birth
Mitchell, Davison County, South Dakota, USA
Death
19 Jun 2006 (aged 89)
Henderson, Clark County, Nevada, USA
Burial
Boulder City, Clark County, Nevada, USA Add to Map
Plot
K-0575
Memorial ID
View Source
Son of Grace L (Anderson) and Robert Lloyd Smith. Brother of Florence, Alan Ritchie, Robert Leroy, Louis Russell and Keith Rodney. Married Bettina "Tina" Ruth Ball January 1, 1940 in Los Angeles County, CA. Hal and Tina had 3 children - Victoria, Peter and Christy.

Obituary
United States Navy, Retired Robert Hallock ( Hal) Smith, 89, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family June 19, 2006. Hal was born in Mitchell, S.D., Feb. 9, 1917. At the age of three his family moved to Ellensburg, Wash., where he was raised. After graduation from high school in 1934, he moved to Southern California to attend Pasadena City College and California Institute of Technology earning a degree in aeronautical engineering. He later attended La Salle University and the Naval War College, taking courses in command training and international political science. Hal was a pilot involved in aircraft design during the late 1930's and then commissioned in the U.S. Navy. His active duty included air station operations, during World War II. He was again called to active duty during the Korean War, serving as division officer on the aircraft carrier USS Leyte. With Hal, the family always remained number one. Hal and Tina started their life together when they married June 1, 1940. They made their home in Henderson, in the early 1950's. Their children, Victoria (Colin) Holman, Peter (Marilyn Mendive) and Christy (John) Winlow have brought them nine grandchildren, Danny, Marc, Erin, Christian, Derek, Amanda, Hal, Katie, and Whitney, and ten great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Danielle, McKenzie, Thomas, Ava, Benjamin, Maia, Grantham, Delaney, and Alexander. Hal was a successful businessman in addition to being involved in community activities. He was a developer-builder in the late 40's in Ellensburg, Wash., worked at Lake Mead Naval Base, retired as a Navy captain, was a partner and manager of Henderson Builders' Supply for 10 years, and was vice president for Nevada operations of the Prudential Securities/Burrows Smith division. Another facet of Hal Smith's life was that of a public servant. Those who knew him best in those public roles would clearly call him a statesman. Hal devoted the great energy to his community, state, and nation serving on numerous commissions and boards. These included the Henderson Charter Commission, Civil Service Board, Western States Water Council, Clark County Bond Commission, Nevada Ethics Commission, and Nevada State Board of Education. His appointments were made by both democratic and republican governors. President Ford appointed Hal to the bi-state water compact between California and Nevada. Additionally, Hal was elected to the State Assembly from 1966 to 1974, then elected to the State Senate from 1988 to 1994. Hal was particularly proud of his efforts in successfully lobbying congress to return slot machine tax revenues to Nevada for educational purposes. During this time Hal was a member of Rotary Club International, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. As a capstone to Hal's career the Clark County School District honored him by naming a school after him, the Hal Smith Elementary School. Hal and Tina's Siberian Husky, Moki Bob, was chosen as the school mascot; the students are known as the Smith Huskies. In total, Hal lived in honorable service to his family, his community, his state and his nation. Tina said it best: " Hal was a man of deep conviction, honor and integrity. He was held in high esteem by all those that knew him." The family wishes to thank the angels of the Nathan Adelson Hospice and Prestige Assisted Living who attended Hal during the last months of his life. Their devotion and loving care were tremendous comfort to him and the family. Because education and children were very important to Hal Smith, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HAL'S Program, Helping All Learners Succeed at Hal Smith Elementary School, 5150 E. Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89122. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 23, at the Presbyterian Church, 601 North Major Ave., Henderson. A private family burial service will be held at the Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, in Boulder City.
Son of Grace L (Anderson) and Robert Lloyd Smith. Brother of Florence, Alan Ritchie, Robert Leroy, Louis Russell and Keith Rodney. Married Bettina "Tina" Ruth Ball January 1, 1940 in Los Angeles County, CA. Hal and Tina had 3 children - Victoria, Peter and Christy.

Obituary
United States Navy, Retired Robert Hallock ( Hal) Smith, 89, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family June 19, 2006. Hal was born in Mitchell, S.D., Feb. 9, 1917. At the age of three his family moved to Ellensburg, Wash., where he was raised. After graduation from high school in 1934, he moved to Southern California to attend Pasadena City College and California Institute of Technology earning a degree in aeronautical engineering. He later attended La Salle University and the Naval War College, taking courses in command training and international political science. Hal was a pilot involved in aircraft design during the late 1930's and then commissioned in the U.S. Navy. His active duty included air station operations, during World War II. He was again called to active duty during the Korean War, serving as division officer on the aircraft carrier USS Leyte. With Hal, the family always remained number one. Hal and Tina started their life together when they married June 1, 1940. They made their home in Henderson, in the early 1950's. Their children, Victoria (Colin) Holman, Peter (Marilyn Mendive) and Christy (John) Winlow have brought them nine grandchildren, Danny, Marc, Erin, Christian, Derek, Amanda, Hal, Katie, and Whitney, and ten great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Danielle, McKenzie, Thomas, Ava, Benjamin, Maia, Grantham, Delaney, and Alexander. Hal was a successful businessman in addition to being involved in community activities. He was a developer-builder in the late 40's in Ellensburg, Wash., worked at Lake Mead Naval Base, retired as a Navy captain, was a partner and manager of Henderson Builders' Supply for 10 years, and was vice president for Nevada operations of the Prudential Securities/Burrows Smith division. Another facet of Hal Smith's life was that of a public servant. Those who knew him best in those public roles would clearly call him a statesman. Hal devoted the great energy to his community, state, and nation serving on numerous commissions and boards. These included the Henderson Charter Commission, Civil Service Board, Western States Water Council, Clark County Bond Commission, Nevada Ethics Commission, and Nevada State Board of Education. His appointments were made by both democratic and republican governors. President Ford appointed Hal to the bi-state water compact between California and Nevada. Additionally, Hal was elected to the State Assembly from 1966 to 1974, then elected to the State Senate from 1988 to 1994. Hal was particularly proud of his efforts in successfully lobbying congress to return slot machine tax revenues to Nevada for educational purposes. During this time Hal was a member of Rotary Club International, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. As a capstone to Hal's career the Clark County School District honored him by naming a school after him, the Hal Smith Elementary School. Hal and Tina's Siberian Husky, Moki Bob, was chosen as the school mascot; the students are known as the Smith Huskies. In total, Hal lived in honorable service to his family, his community, his state and his nation. Tina said it best: " Hal was a man of deep conviction, honor and integrity. He was held in high esteem by all those that knew him." The family wishes to thank the angels of the Nathan Adelson Hospice and Prestige Assisted Living who attended Hal during the last months of his life. Their devotion and loving care were tremendous comfort to him and the family. Because education and children were very important to Hal Smith, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HAL'S Program, Helping All Learners Succeed at Hal Smith Elementary School, 5150 E. Desert Inn Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89122. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 23, at the Presbyterian Church, 601 North Major Ave., Henderson. A private family burial service will be held at the Southern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, in Boulder City.


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