Charles P. Smith Jr. M.D. "Buddy"

Charles P. Smith Jr., MD, “Buddy” 88, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, September 2, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born October 16, 1935, in Washington, D.C. to Charles P. Smith Sr., and Jane Arloa Smith. Wed to Roberta “Bobbi” Rush Smith February 2, 1967, in Toledo, OH, he and Bobbi raised their children on the east side of Rockford.

In high school, “Buddy” was a highly skilled multi-sport athlete. A quick footed shortstop, and student of baseball, he shared his knowledge and skills with his children and the neighborhood kids on the street in front of their home and local ballfield. He was a fan of the original Washington Senators as a boy in Washington D.C. and throughout his life in Rockford grew to be an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Bobbi and he were season ticket holders and regularly caught on the “Kiss Cam” while cheering on the Rockford Ice Hogs at the Metro Centre. Charles was asked to use his beautiful baritone singing voice at church and many weddings. He was an excellent pianist. He spent much of his adult life exercising his passion for reading, education, and the art of writing. Dr. Smith, a proud patriot, was a prolific writer of letters to the editor of his local newspaper. Bobbi and he attended Stateline Church in Rockford for the last few years.

As an accomplished professional of many educational and civic ventures, his most cherished time was with his family. Bobbi and he created a fifty-two-year tradition of spending summer holidays at Rock Cut State Park cooking breakfast, playing games, hiking, and laughing with their family, friends, and neighbors.

Dr. Smith completed his internship and residency at Akron General Hospital in Akron, OH in 1966. He served as a Captain in the United Sates Army Medical Corps from 1962 to 1964. Bobbi and he came to Rockford in 1968 and opened his medical practice at the Professional Building (known to many as “The Purple Palace”) with Bobbi as his first nurse. He was an attending physician at Swedish American Hospital and OSF St. Anthony Medical Center during his 32 years practicing Internal Medicine in the Rockford area and retired as a Doctor from Brookside Clinic in 2000. After retirement, he obtained a realtor’s license and enjoyed working in that industry until 2002.

Over the following years he founded Group Hope, a mutual help support group, for individuals with Depression, Bipolar and Anxiety disorders and was facilitator of, up to, seven weekly support meetings over the next twenty years. Concurrently, Bobbi and he co-founded the Red Shoe Run for Donor Awareness in conjunction with Rock River Valley Blood Center and Gift of Hope and The Kennedy 5K for Mental Health Awareness.

Charles is survived by his wife, Bobbi; their children, Cindy (Skip) Huntress of North Salt Lake City, UT, Terri (Dave) Hileman of Durand, IL, Karen Diaz of DeKalb, IL, Lisa (Mark) Fischer of Rockford, Charles IV (Jessica) Smith of Carthage, TN, and Michael (Annie) Smith of Mt. Juliet, TN; his grandchildren, Jessica (Brett), Sam (Emily), Jocelyn, Andy (Michelle), Krissy (Steve), Katie (Dustin), Tim, J.D. (Deidre), Tara (Brock), Michael, Megan (José), Chase (Julia), Cole, Charles V, Natalie, Abbie (Michael), Leah (Cole), Molly, and Michael Jr.; his great grandchildren, Simon, Ethan, Mason, Eli, Benji, Mackenzie, Ruby, Lola, Warner, Evie, Chase, Kolton, Angelina, Zeke, Milo, Foster, and soon to come: Crew; his sister, Norma Jean (Darrel) Wiley; twelve nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Wrigley and Sassy. He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carrie Jane Smith; his brother, Don; two granddaughters, Gabi and Dani; and his nephew, Steve.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Sam’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, 6075 E Riverside Blvd #4413, Rockford, IL 61114. Cremation rites have been accorded. The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. To extend condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NAMI Northern Illinois, please visit the website and donate here.