Robert George Smith

November 11, 1953 - August 15, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
Robert (Rob) George Smith, 68, of Penticton, BC passed away suddenly from a heart attack on August 15, 2022 while on vacation with his wife Elizabeth in Port Hood, Nova Scotia.
Rob was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and moved to East Vancouver in BC with his family when he was ten years old.
Rob joined his first pipe band when he was ten years old, playing the snare/side drum. In every pipe band he played in he made new friends and great memories, especially when playing alongside his brother Glenn and sister Kim. The 1986 and 2006 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland were very rewarding experiences. His love of singing, music and pipe bands continued throughout his life.
He was a "Parrothead" and loved all Jimmy Buffett's music, singing along with every song he heard. He loved traveling to warm places (Arizona, Palm Springs and Mexico) and cruising the Caribbean.
Rob always knew he wanted to be a Mountie and joined the RCMP in November 1974. He was posted to "E" Division (British Columbia) where he served until his retirement in September 2005. One of his proudest projects was creating the RCMP's first Medical Retirement Program where he assisted many police officers retire with dignity and respect.
Rob was on the national committee that created the official RCMP tartan that is worn on each of the eight RCMP Pipe Bands across the country. Rob was a member of the first "E" Division RCMP Pipe Band comprised of serving police officers in 1997 and started the "E" Division RCMP Community Pipes & Drums in 2006 which he proudly led as the Drum Major until he turned it over to his incumbent in 2015.
Rob was predeceased by his mother and father, Dorothy and Donald, and his brothers Brian and Glenn.
Rob is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Melanie (Dale), sons Brian (Daniela), Bob (Jess), Steven (Amy) and Ian (Caitlin), sister Kimberly (Phil), sister-in-laws Leda and Susan, nephew David, nieces Susie and Fara, and nine wonderful grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Orchard House, 157 Orchard Avenue, Penticton, BC. A Memorial will be held in the Lower Mainland of BC at a later date in 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts Society (220 Manor Park Ave, Penticton, BC V2A 2R2).