Robert Loys Sminkey, 76, Leonardtown

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

He was born Sept. 3, 1931, in Philadelphia, the son of the late Loys Albert and his wife, Dorothy, now of Rochester, N.Y.

He married the late Dorothy S. Sminkey on Nov. 18, 1950, in Laurel Springs, N.J. They were married 50 years.

He is survived by his second wife, Jacqueline M. Sminkey, whom he married Aug 5, 2002. He was the father of Robert L. Sminkey of Summerville, S.C., and Sue Drew of Beverly, Mass. He was the brother of Bill Sminkey of Rochester, NY. and Don Sminkey of Bowie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jonathan Drew of Austin, Texas, and Kimberly Drew of Chicago.

He settled in St. Mary’s County after several years of cruising the East Coast on his sailing vessel, ‘‘Dorothy,” with his former wife, Dorothy. He tied up at Solomons many times on his travels and fell in love with the area and decided this is where he wanted to stay.

The 31-year Navy veteran retired from active duty in 1979, ending a distinguished Navy career. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1948. His enlisted service as a quartermaster included sea duty on board USS Sea Leopard, USS Burrfish, USS Sennet, USS Guavina and a shore duty tour as an instructor at the Submarine School in New London, Conn. In April 1958, he was ordered to officer candidate school in Newport, R.I., and upon graduation was commissioned an ensign. He subsequently served in USS Becuna and then in USS Sea Robin. He reported to the Fleet Intelligence Center at Port Lyautey, Morocco, for duty as underseas warfare officer in March 1963, and the following year transferred with that command to Jacksonville, Fla. After completing navigator training at Dam Neck, Va., in 1965, he made four deterrent patrols as navigator in USS Francis Scott Key and then served as executive officer in USS Threadfin. From 1971 to 1976 he directed operations of the Mediterranean Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force for Commander Submarine Flotilla Eight and Commander Submarine Group Eight at their headquarters in Naples, Italy. He was further assigned as assistant operations officer, force navigator and Trident program manager on the staff of the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Va. He completed his career as commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Support Base in Kings Bay, Ga., on June 6, 1979. His awards include three Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European clasp.

He kept himself very busy upon retirement and relocation to St. Mary’s County. He was an active member of The Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution, Thomas Stone Chapter, that serves St.Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties. He was an active member of the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. He enjoyed researching and writing ship’s histories for the organization’s Web site. He enjoyed assisting the St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society with trips to the National Archives for new members.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at Fort Myers Old Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown.