Robert S. Smith

Robert Sherwood Smith was born into this earthly life on September 5, 1939 and entered into eternal life on June 17, 2025. A Nebraska native, his birth to John and Nellie Smith in Hickman was of humble beginnings. His father worked for the Burlington Railroad depot as an agent and telegrapher, and they lived in small rural Nebraska towns during his formative years. Though he often did not have indoor plumbing or "two nickels to rub together" this upbringing formed Robert's understanding of a hard work ethic. He was one of the youngest students to enter the University of Tulsa at age 16 and worked on one of the first computers, as he studied chemical engineering. His graduate studies took him to Purdue University, after which he began his career travelling to Saudia Arabia where he learned Arabic. He then became a project engineer at Esso Libya, making work colleagues into lifelong friends, including June Gunning, whom he married on March 10, 1970. As the couple moved in their early years to London and Norway, they welcomed their only child into the world, Alexandra. In 1978, he started his own company - OPC Engineering in Houston, Texas, which over its 20 years, prepared over 35 detailed designs for new and retrofit glycol dehydration plants utilizing an enhanced technology he patented called DRIZO. This technology is still utilized by chemical engineering firms around the world today. His expertise was sought by companies ranging from Mobil, Gulf, Conoco, Shell, Enron, Aramco, to British Petroleum. This required continuous travel to every continent in the world, most frequently the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Africa, Columbia and Russia. His influence on the oil and gas industry continues through his 40+ publications and 2 patents. In 1998 he sold OPC Engineering and started a consulting firm: Quantum Technology Inc. His wife June died in 2000, and Robert moved to Brenham, Texas, marrying Helen Louise Farrelly on February 15, 2003. As Robert was now a sought-after consultant and visiting university lecturer at TAMU Qatar and University of Tulsa, they made Tulsa their home in 2004. They traveled in retirement to Europe, Egypt, and the Caribbean making memories with many dear friends and family. Robert was as unique as his red hair and left-handedness. He loved scuba diving in the ocean, despite his fair and freckled skin. He appreciated all nature and animals, but particularly enjoyed frogs and iguanas. He was generous financially to family, while never living beyond his means. He was proud of his country, yet always treated people of other cultures with the deepest respect. And he was eager to share his life story, particularly to his grandchildren. His hard work, financial generosity and his tender spirit leave a legacy. He is survived by his wife, Helen Louise Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his daughter Alexandra and her husband David Robinson, as well as three grand-children Brooks Sherwood, Elliot Gunning and Violet Marion Robinson of Carrollton, Texas; as well as nieces, nephews and many friends. He was greeted into the gates of heaven by his parents, John Robert and Nellie Smith, his sisters Shirley Boettner and Nancy Chittenden, June Smith, and many friends. In honor of his life and legacy, donations may be made to Clarehouse Hospice Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Services are pending.

Robert S. Smith

September 5, 1939 - June 17, 2025