COLLEGE PARK, MD – Bob "Turtle" Smith, an alumnus, former student-athlete and longtime supporter of the University of Maryland and its baseball program, passed away Sunday at the age of 84. Smith is survived by his wife, Carol, and two children, Sean and Robert, as well as three grandchildren. 

Smith was a 1963 graduate of the university, earning a degree in business and management. He was a standout on the baseball field as a starter and co-captain in his senior year. That same year, he was awarded the Berger Cup for outstanding contributions to Maryland Athletics through baseball. The award was a testament to his leadership and competitive spirit, which he carried with him throughout his post-graduate life. 

A member of the Terrapin Club for over 50 years, Smith remained a passionate and generous supporter of Maryland Athletics long after his playing days ended. In 2007, Bob and his wife established the first-ever full Maryland baseball scholarship endowment, paving the way for future generations of student-athletes to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.

The Smiths have also donated more than $3 million to Maryland Athletics, supporting facilities, operations and creating multiple other endowed scholarships specifically for the baseball program. In recognition of their remarkable commitment, the university re-dedicated the baseball stadium as Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium on May 8, 2010.
  "The impact that Bob "Turtle" Smith has had on this program is immeasurable," said Head Maryland Baseball Coach Matt Swope. "He has been a consistent part of the Maryland community for many years, and I personally consider him a friend. He has been a great steward of this program, and we are all saddened by his passing. Though we will miss his presence in College Park, his enduring legacy will leave a profound and lasting mark on this program and the broader community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they navigate this difficult time."

In addition to Smith's athletic and philanthropic legacy, he built a highly successful business career. He served as a Vice President at two Fortune 500 companies before founding Smith Properties, a commercial real estate development company based in Frederick, Md. 

Reflecting on his journey in a story published initially by Terrapin Times in 2008, Smith credited much of his success to the scholarship that enabled his Maryland baseball career and education.  

"I've told my family and friends many times that without the baseball scholarship that enabled me to attend and graduate from the University of Maryland, I never would have had such success. As a result, I am only too pleased to be able to give back to the University and the baseball team. … My four-year college experience at the University of Maryland was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. There was academic learning, an expansion of social relationships and playing my favorite sport of baseball." 

He also served on the UMCP Foundation Board of Trustees and, alongside his wife, was honored with the prestigious Heise Award in 2020. The annual award recognizes the Terrapin Club member who best exemplifies Terrapin spirit and support of Maryland Athletics.

Bob "Turtle" Smith's dedication to Maryland Baseball and the university community will be remembered for generations. His legacy lives on through the student-athletes he inspired, the programs he empowered and the stadium that bears his name.