Background
Smith, Robert H. was born on March 10, 1888 in Baltimore. Son of Robert H. and Margaret B. (Clark) Smith.
Smith, Robert H. was born on March 10, 1888 in Baltimore. Son of Robert H. and Margaret B. (Clark) Smith.
Civil Engineer, Princeton University, 1911.
He was first employed on the North&West during the summer of 1910 as an axeman and chainman on a surveying crew. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University in 1911, he returned to the North&West where he remained until his retirement. Smith was named Vice President Operations in 1941.
He succeeded William J. Jenks as President in 1946.
Smith was a proponent of steam motive power during his tenure as President. He authorized operating tests in 1952 to compare General Motors Electro-Motive Division diesel locomotives with two North&West-designed and -built steam locomotives.
He also supported the experimental coal-burning, steam-turbine electric locomotive, Jawn Henry, which the Railway tested from 1954 to 1957. Smith retired from the North&West on March 31, 1958, and was succeeded by Stuart T. Saunders.
His nickname "Racehorse" came from his long stride and rapid pace.
The story goes that once when offered a ride to his office he declined saying that he was in a hurry.
Member Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa. Clubs: Shenandoah, Roanoke Country (Roanoke, Virginia).
Married Mary Elizabeth Wysor, November 9, 1916. Children: Robert H., Jae West., May Gardner, Margaret Donnell, Jane Stuart.