by Fr. Mike Conway, SDB
(Takoma Park, Md. – April 17) – On April
14 Catholics and other Christians around the world celebrated Palm Sunday,
remembering Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The celebration marked
the beginning of the holiest of weeks, when Jesus lovingly and willingly
underwent his passion and death out of love and in obedience to his Father and
then rose from the dead for our salvation.
On that very day, after several years of battling cancer,
Robert (Rob) Smith, a much beloved teacher, mentor, and friend of very many at
Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, passed away at the age of 38. Thus concluded
Mr. Smith’s own passion and, God willing, began the ultimate fulfillment of his
belief and hope in the Resurrection.
Mr. Smith was a highly regarded math teacher and an integral
part of our school community since 2008. He was well respected by peers and
students and will be sorely missed. When news of his death was shared with the
school community on Monday morning, the outpouring of grief was great—even
teachers weeping openly. Yet students and staff all came together to comfort
one another, trusting and believing that Mr. Smith no longer suffered and now
rests with our Father in Heaven.
Elias Blanco, DBCR’s interim principal, voiced these
thoughts to the students and staff: “Some words that describe who Rob was are
kind, selfless, role-model, faith-filled, joy-filled, listener, inspirational,
and more. I thank God for the life of Rob Smith, he touched the lives of all he
met and I think he made us be better.
“Rob cared a great deal about our students and their
education, he was also a man of prayer and encouraged others to a closer
relationship with God, and he served without counting the cost or expecting
anything in return. What a great example!”
DBCR’s students, staff, and alumni ask the readers of Salesian News to keep Mr. Smith, his
family, and the DBCR school community in their prayers during this difficult
time. Funeral services will be held on Easter Monday, April 22, at St. Jerome’s
Church in Hyattsville, Md., at 11:00 a.m.
Photo credit: Don Bosco Cristo Rey
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