A Media Leader

R

obert Nathaniel Smith, 59, a tele-
vision station owner and civic
leader in Santa Barbara, CaliE, died Oct.
28, 2003, of neuroendocrine cancer.
Comedian Dennis Miller, actor Rob
Lowe and former
congressman Joe
Kennedy were
among those who
gave tributes at
his memorial
service.
As a child in
1950, "Bobby"
Smith learned
about determina-
tion and beauty
Robert Smith
as he saw his par-
ents, Sara and the late Melvyn Maxwell
Smith, two Detroit schoolteachers,
build "Myhaven," a Frank Lloyd Wright
home in Bloomfield Hills that the
architect referred to as "My little gem."
A graduate of Andover High School,
the University of Michigan and its law
school, Mr. Smith's passion for politics
eventually led him to join President
Jimmy Carter's White House staff For
two years, he was responsible for many
of the poverty programs administered
by the Office of Economic Opportunity.
During this time, he met Joe Kennedy,
oldest son of Robert E Kennedy, who
became a lifelong friend. The two
shared a commitment to serving the
underprivileged that never waned.
In 1980, he returned to Michigan,
where he practiced law and planned his
future in television broadcasting. He
bought his first station in 1983, formed
Smith Broadcasting in 1985 and went
on to ownership of 20 stations across
the country He realized his goal of
owning a TV station in Santa Barbara
in 1987.
More than 40 telethons supported by
Mr. Smith have raised in excess of $13
million for low income assistance, chil-
dren's services and disaster relief
"The caring and love that was exem-
plified by his public life spilled over to
those fortunate enough to have known
him personally," said his cousin, Marvin
Shwedel of Bloomfield Hills.
Robert Smith is survived by his wife
of 32 years, Anne Fuchs Smith; chil-
dren, Jenn Smith Hale and Michael
Smith; mother, Sara Smith.
Contributions may be made to the
Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer
Center, attn: Elise Falk, 8631 W.
Third St., Suite 1001E, Los Angeles,
CA 93101. O

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U17
2003

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