The world lost a very selfless man this weekend. Robert Smith epitomized the idea of paying it forward. He was so grateful to those who had given him breaks, and he was determined to do the same every chance he got.
I was one of those fortunate individuals. I first met Robert Smith through the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society. He convinced me to do a weather internship at FOX to learn how to be a Broadcast Meteorologist. You should know that I had tried and failed to get into TV weather three times when I lived in Bryan/College Station while studying meteorology at Texas A & M. I had a full plate at the time I met Robert but he when I told him how I had always wanted to be a Broadcast Meteorologist, he was relentless. He insisted that I not give up on my dream…even though I had. Finally, he convinced me to do the internship. Not only did he provide me with an internship, he cultivated me…refreshing my forecasting skills and getting me to practice over and over and over. Patiently, oh so patiently, he pushed me back to my dream. And when a TV Weather Broadcast position opened in Beaumont, he helped me put together a resume tape, and then he called the news director and insisted that he hire me! I got the job!!!
He eventually got me working at FOX. I tried out three times before I was hired. On the third try, I wanted to give up. But Robert insisted—“come on girl, this is your dream. Just try one more time. I just know they will hire you this time”. He walked my audition tape straight to the news director and begged the news director to look at it. I got the job!!!
I wasn’t the only one…countless people were helped by this man. He loved to help make dreams come true. Most importantly, Robert Smith helped me meet my husband—truly the best thing that ever happened to me.
My heart overflows with gratitude. He lives on through his good deeds.
Cecilia Sinclair
