The San Francisco call., 1908-10-04
Robert Assheton Smyth
Passes Away
Sporting Editor of The Call Is
Stricken in the Prime of
His Life

Robert Assheton Smyth, sporting
editor of The Call, died at 4:30 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon at the French
hospital. He Is survived by a widow
mother and one sister, Miss Elizabeth
Smyth. The funeral services will be
conducted by Rev. DR.. Benson OF ST
Johns Episcopal church at Dierk's
undertaklng parlors. at 2:30 o'clock
Monday afternoon. The interment will
Robert Assheton Smyth was born at
Castle Martyr, County Cork, ireland
~ years ago. He was the son OF Rob
ert Smyth, a noted Irish huntsman and
q promineHt figure In the sporting life
San francisco about 80 years ago, after
brlef residence in. Australia. Since
fnaI fn a, e, lime san Francisco has been the
was for many years in charge of the
field
/, Robert Assheton smyth attended the
Lincoln school in this city and as a
boy entered the service of the Wells
Eargo express company as clerk
Whhe yet boy he attained more than
OF California's first century bicycle
riders, and after the introduction of
the modern safety bicycle became one
OF tne nrst and best known California
road racers. He quickly established his
rlgnt TO place in the front rank OF
western endurance race riders and was
one OF the best known members of the
ing from racing, Smyth was for sew
eral years one of the most skillful and
successful bicycle handicappers in the
Bob Smyth, as he was popularlv
and affectfonately known. entered the
newspaper field about II years ago
true sportsman that he. was, his In
cllnatfons and abilities drew him nat
urally enough to the sporting page
His answering honesty, his loyalty to
duty and his loye for all manly sports
soon 500 won Tor him the same place of
that he had occupied in the field of
amateur sport. He became Sporting
editor of The Call. 10 years ago. filiing
that position with honor to himself
and credit to this paper until the ILL
ness that was so soon to prove mortal
ago.
One of the keenest and most consci-
entious critics of pugilists and pusiiism
in this country, Bob Smyth's Written
opinions were eagerly sought and uni
versally respected by followers and
men and the general public gave. ready
recognition to the sterling honesty Of
Ine sporting writer, whose work was
me never erics coiored ore With prejudice who had
TO his paper and the reading public
apove every personal consideration.
IHrousHout the world of sport he was
accorded the sportsman's dearest NEED
OF praise-that he was square
The. ,untimely death of Bob" Smyth
robs the world of sport OF a figure
whose, absence will emphasize its
prominence: 1t robs those who knew
him OF friend. To know Bob. 'Smyth
was to love him. Loyal he was and
gentle and modest. as a woman. The
coarser side of life with which he
came In daily contact for nearly 90
years lett no soilfng touch on him His
to his work, his aged mother, his sis
ter and their home. He lived ever
true to the traditions of gentleman.
and so he died. Without complaint he
bore the ravages of the disease thai
wore him quickly to the mere shadow
Of man. Without fear he faced death
The smile that had drawn little chill
to him the hearts of men. was on his
face when he fell into his last sleep.