Robert B. Smith

Champaign - Robert (Bob) B. Smith, 85, died on September 22, 2013 at Carle Foundation Hospital with friends by his side.

Bob Smith was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 13, 1928.

Mr. Smith began his professional career as a child prodigy and received the Indiana State Piano Scholarship in 1946. He enrolled in the School of Music, Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he completed a Bachelors of Music Degree in 1948 and a Masters of Music in 1949 at the young age of 21.

Bob became a member of the music faculty at the University of Arkansas in the summer of 1949, and remained there until 1955. During his stay in Arkansas, he taught piano majors, was principal cellist for the orchestra, and performed lead operatic roles. He also performed piano extensively, and spent one summer in Fontainebleau, France, studying with the acclaimed French faculty at the world-famous conservatory. Mr. Smith played a concert in Suffolk, England before returning to Arkansas.

He left Arkansas in 1955 to become Music Consultant of the American Forces Schools in Great Britain. He left that position in 1957, awarded an Outstanding Service Award for his teaching at the Strategic Air Command elementary school at Eastcote.

Mr. Smith returned to this country to begin his doctoral studies at the University of Illinois. He was chosen to begin an early childhood research project at the University of Illinois Child Development Laboratory and then was asked to join the faculty. His research led to an international awareness of the importance of music in early childhood education, publications, a national radio series and the position as one of the national consultants who developed Project HEADSTART in the summer of 1964. He retired from the University of Illinois as a full professor in 1983.

Dr. Smith received many awards, recognitions, and accolades for his piano performances and participation in musical events.

Bob was the chairman of the Krannert Art Museum Research Committee for many years developing historical information of works of art in the Krannert Art Museum. Much of this material was used by Docents to learn about this collection and the Krannert Art Museum Catalogue Of The Collection. The Krannert Art Museum Council honored him in 2011 as the "Unsung Hero of the Year".

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 2:30 PM at the Gelvin Noel Gallery, Krannert Art Museum, 500 East Peabody Drive, Champaign. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com