Robert Smith

Like many people at this time of year, Robert Smith of the Cure is beginning to worry that he may not achieve one of the goals he'd set for himself: to perform 200 songs by Christmas."

Robert Clarence Smith, a retired mechanic and a World War II infantryman, died of heart disease Nov. 24 at Heart Homes Lutherville, an assisted-living facility. He was 87. Mr. Smith was born in Baltimore and raised in Cockeysville. He attended Baltimore County public schools. During World War II, he enlisted in the Army and served with an infantry unit in Europe. He landed at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Discharged with the rank of private at war's end, Mr. Smith returned to Baltimore and went to work at Carter's Furniture, eventually becoming a master upholsterer.

For most of the last decade, the Cure has seemed a band for which breaking up would not be that hard to do.It's not as if the band has been beset with rampaging egos or romantic complications. Apart from keyboardist Lol Tolhurst, who was forced out of the band in 1988 and later filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against front-man Robert Smith, the Cure has been relatively free of internal strife in its 20 years of existence.If anything, Smith, bassist Simon Gallup, guitarist Porl Thompson and drummer Boris Williams always have seemed more like buddies than band-mates.

The Baltimore Police Department is to drop three of six charges that were filed against Sgt. Robert Smith - a former supervisor of a specialized unit that was disbanded after allegations that a woman was raped in the station house in 2005, according to a letter from the city sent to the officer's attorney. Smith was charged with violations stemming from the alleged rape - including a sex offense - even though he was on vacation and far away from the station house when the alleged rape occurred.

Their running backs haven't played a down this preseason, but the Ravens have their game plan in place. A day after returning from their canceled opener in Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions have ended talks with free agent Chris Warren for now and have backed off on the possibility of bringing back Errict Rhett. The intention is to sit tight for the next two weeks and go with their current halfback corps of Terry Allen, Jason Brookins and Chris Barnes. The Ravens, though, will not start the regular season with this group and will likely make their move when rosters have to be trimmed.

On November 28, 2006, JAMES ROBERT SMITH, JR., of Middle River, MD. Beloved husband of Betty A. Sasser Smith. Devoted father of Jackson Wallace Smith and Matthew Robert Smith; two stepsons, Ernest Fowler and J.R. Miller; two stepdaughters, Alicia Fowler and Lindsey Miller. Loving son of Linda Lee Whichard Smith and the late James Robert Smith, Sr. Brother of Jeanie Mae Arrison and the late Marcie Lee Smith. Also survived by a grandmother, Geraldine Whichard and numerous aunts and uncles.

On March 6, 2003, FLORENCE GERTRUDE SMITH of Baltimore, beloved wife of the late Robert Smith, Sr., devoted mother of Howard Smith and Robert Smith, Jr. Loving grandmother of three, great-grandmother of four and great-great-grandmother of one. The family will receive visitors at the SINGLETON FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 1 Second Avenue, S.W. (at Crain Hwy), Glen Burnie, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M., Saturday and Sunday. The Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday in the Funeral Home Chapel.

On July 25, 2005, ORDELL CURRAN (nee Welliver) "Long time Organist of the North Point Baptist Church," beloved wife of the late James Curran; devoted mother of Gail Janes, Charles and Robert Smith; dear sister of Athelda Sable; dear grandmother of Colleen and Robert Smith. Visitation Thursday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the CVACH-ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME, 1211 Chesaco Avenue. Mrs. Curran will lie in state at the North Point Baptist Church, 4201 North Point Blvd, on Friday at 9 till 10 A.M., with funeral services starting at 10 A.M. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery.

Suddenly on January 29, 2004, WILLIAM L., beloved husband of the late Lillian S. (nee Dell) Uhler; son of the late Elmer and Margie Uhler; step-father of Jean Morrison , Sterling and Robert Smith, and the late William Smith; also survived by fourteen grandchildren, nieces and nephews.Services from the ELINE FUNERAL HOME 11824 Reisterstown Rd (at Franklin Blvd) Monday at 12 noon. Interment Finksburg Cemetery. Friends may call Monday 10 to 12 noon.

On May 13, 2006, WILLIAM JAMES WORTHY, a Korean War veteran (with honors) and a retiree of the Baltimore City Fire Department. He is son of the late Willie and Dora Worthy and dear brother of the late Mae Vaughn. He is survived by two dear children, Chandrae James (Kenneth) and Robert Smith (Bernadette), four grandchildern; a beloved aunt, Louise Darby, a loving goddaughter, loving cousins, and other cherished and devoted family and friends. Visitation on Monday, May 22, from 3 to 8 PM at the Vaughn Green Funeral Home, 5151 Baltimore National Pike (21229)

The Vanguard Justice Society, an organization of about 1,000 current and retired black Baltimore police officers, is calling for the resignation of the Police Department's internal affairs commander and two others, citing "disparate treatment in the department's disciplinary system." The Vanguard Society leadership wants them to resign because they believe they tried to "extort" a civil settlement from an African-American officer who has filed a lawsuit against the department. The city's top attorney denied the assertion.

Charlene Della Pierpoint, daughter of Charles and Sharon Pierpoint of Glen Burnie, MD and Carl Joseph Smith, son of Robert and Joann Smith of Street, MD were married August 25, 2007 at Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air, MD. The matron of honor was Rebecca Smith, sister in-law of the groom. Bridesmaids included, Melissa Davis, Kelli Ulrich, Silka Payan and Jennifer Miller, all friends of the bride. Junior bridesmaid included Brianna Colling, niece of the groom. Flower girl included Hannah Smith, niece of the groom.

On January 6, 2007, Samuel "Sam" Serio. Beloved husband of the late Valerie Joan Serio, passed away suddenly. Loving father of Dominic R. and Gemma C. Serio; beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. (Gloria) Serio; cherished brother of Jennie Hrivnak, Veronica Serio, and Maria Scarcella and husband John; son in-law of Helen M. Smith and the late Robert Smith; brother in-law of Stephen J. Smith and wife Nancy, Kathleen M. Smith and companion Christopher Vasquez, Brian W. Smith and wife Diana Carranza and Helen L. Allen and husband Ted. Also surviving his uncle, Sam Serio and aunt Mary Pinnachia and husband John, nine nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

On November 28, 2006, JAMES ROBERT SMITH, JR., of Middle River, MD. Beloved husband of Betty A. Sasser Smith. Devoted father of Jackson Wallace Smith and Matthew Robert Smith; two stepsons, Ernest Fowler and J.R. Miller; two stepdaughters, Alicia Fowler and Lindsey Miller. Loving son of Linda Lee Whichard Smith and the late James Robert Smith, Sr. Brother of Jeanie Mae Arrison and the late Marcie Lee Smith. Also survived by a grandmother, Geraldine Whichard and numerous aunts and uncles.

Robert Lucian Smith, a retired electrical engineer and consultant, died of cancer Sunday at his Severna Park home. He was 91. Mr. Smith was born in Washington and raised there and in Pine Bluff, Ark. He attended George Washington University and worked for Graham Co., Republic Steel Co. and the former Glenn L. Martin Co. before taking a position with J.E. Greiner Co. in 1944. During his 41-year career, he worked on the construction of both Chesapeake Bay bridges. After retiring in 1985, his consulting work took him to such places as Epcot Center and Miami International Airport in Florida, Logan International Airport in Boston and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

On May 13, 2006, WILLIAM JAMES WORTHY, a Korean War veteran (with honors) and a retiree of the Baltimore City Fire Department. He is son of the late Willie and Dora Worthy and dear brother of the late Mae Vaughn. He is survived by two dear children, Chandrae James (Kenneth) and Robert Smith (Bernadette), four grandchildern; a beloved aunt, Louise Darby, a loving goddaughter, loving cousins, and other cherished and devoted family and friends. Visitation on Monday, May 22, from 3 to 8 PM at the Vaughn Green Funeral Home, 5151 Baltimore National Pike (21229)

Two Baltimore police officers implicated in misconduct in a search warrant application targeting the Southwestern District's "flex squad" filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing the officers who wrote the document of defamation. Sgt. Robert Smith and Detective Vicki Mengel are asking for $1.5 million. They contend in their suit that two drug detectives made "false statements ... for the malicious purpose of embarrassing [them] and causing them to be subject to public ridicule, scorn, dishonor and embarrassment and to ruin their careers."