ROBERT SMITHFather-of-two Robert Smith, who was killed in a road accident on October 29, 2007, has been described as a "proud and kind family man".Mr Smith, 46, died when he was in collision with a car in Marchington, Staffordshire.He had stepped out of the van he was driving to alter a load when the accident happened.One of his brothers, 50-year-old Richard, of Ashbourne Road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, was told the news while on holiday in Antigua and flew back on the same night.He said: "Robert was a proud and kind family man, who loved his two boys dearly and was incredibly proud of them."His mother, 73-year-old Shirley Smith, of Toby's Hill, in Marchington, who went to view her son's body, said: "He looked so peaceful and at rest."One of six children, Mr Smith, of Marchington, had lived in the area all of his life.He leaves two sons, eight-year-old Oliver and seven-year-old Harry, and his wife, Julia, 39.She said: "I know that Robert was from a big family but he will leave a big hole in that family and in the community."Just yesterday, our local postman came up to console me and just burst into tears. That's how popular a man Robert was."His sister, 35-year-old Ann Smith, who lives in Bristol, said: "His next-door neighbour always referred to Robert and the boys as a 'little gang.'"He loved nothing more than to spend the weekend with Oliver and Harry making things and playing around in the garden."Mr Smith was a company director at Hayes Fabrications, in Marchington, with another brother, 52-year-old Stephen, of Wood Lane, Hanbury.He said: "Robert was the one man who all of our customers wanted to see when they needed a job doing."He's going to be missed by everyone - his family, his friends and all of the customers who've shown us fantastic support."A great lover of gardening and cooking, Mr Smith was fiercely proud of his tomatoes and, particularly, his chilli peppers, which he nurtured from seed.Sociable and unassuming, the family said that he loved being around people, whether it was cooking at school barbecues or helping his two other brothers, Philip, 54, and Tom, 37, on their dairy farms.Paying a final tribute, his wife said: "He would be overwhelmed by all of the kind words the community have said about him. The things that they've done and said have been a great comfort to all of us."
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