Robert Smith

Robert Allen Smith, 74, of Wasilla died on Oct. 30, 2007, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

Born Oct. 17, 1933, in Raleigh, N.C., Smith was the son of the late Robert S. and Minnie Coates Smith. A 1951 graduate of Smithfield High School in North Carolina, he served three years in the U.S. Navy, then attended the University of North Carolina and graduated in 1959.

Smith married his wife, Alice Dickens of Smithfield, in 1956, and after graduating started his banking career in Maryland. He later received a master’s degree from Brown University. Smith retired from banking as president of the state Employees Credit Union in 1995.

Smith is survived by his wife, Alice D. Smith; sons, Michael and Mark of Eugene, Ore., and William D. of Wilmington, N.C.; daughters, Susan of Wasilla and Julie of Edgewood, Md.; grandchildren Kelly Smith, Emily Smith, Rebecca Smith, Will Smith and Chris and Lisi Olsen.

At his request no funeral will take place. A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established with Friends of the Wasilla Public Library in memory of Robert A. Smith.

Valley Funeral Homes and Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer assisted the family.