Lake Co. judge remembered for dedication

Funeral services were held Thursday for Associate Judge Robert Smith Jr., of Deerfield, who died Monday after a long illness.

Smith, 64, was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after being appointed to the bench in July 2007.

"Bob was a man who was very dedicated to the law and the administration of justice," Chief Judge James Booras said. "We will all miss him greatly."

Smith was healthy enough to begin hearing cases this past May, Booras said, and was assigned to the civil law division.

He was a 1971 graduate of the Loyola University School of Law and began his career as an assistant state's attorney.

From 1980 until 1986, he was a partner in the Libertyville firm of Smith and Orlando, and operated as a sole practitioner following that period.

A past president of the Lake County Bar Association, Smith is survived by his wife and two adult children.