Armed with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Polytechnic College of Engineering, and a driving desire to design airplanes, R.G. landed a job with Douglas in 1936. He played a key role in the design and development of some of the most effective tactical aircraft of the day including: the SBD Dauntless, the A-20 Havoc and A-26 Invader, the Skyraider, Skystreak, Skyrocket, Skynight, Skywarrior to name a few. His favorite, the A-4 Skyhawk, bears his imprint for configuration design.

During his youth, coupled with his enthusiasm for sports, R.G. loved to draw. Though he never had any formal training in the field of art, a picture he drew during the early days at Douglas found favor with the legendary Jack Northrop, then a Donald Douglas associate. This eventually led to more requests for drawings and paintings which the company often used for presentations, proposals and marketing.

Though engineering was his first love, his reputation in the field of aviation art soon became legendary. During the span of his 57 year career in the aircraft industry, it is estimated the he created over 2000 paintings, drawings and sketches. Several million prints and lithographs of his work have been produced and distributed throughout the world. Few knew that R.G.'s talent extended far beyond the field of aviation and combat art. His many outside interests were reflected in his "hobby art"; scores of paintings and drawings depicting scenes of the old west, American Indians, deserted mine shafts, landscapes, the human figure, harbor scenes and other subjects too numerous to mention.

R.G. was not solely an engineer and aviation artist. He served two tours as a combat artist for the Navy during the Vietnam War. Often placing himself in harm's way, he captured the essence of warfare with pencil and sketch pad in hand. The book, "R.G. Smith—the Man and His Art", chronicled his life and his deep appreciations to the men and women who serve our Nation in the military. VADM William Houser, USN (ret.) writes in the book's Forward, "as to carrier operations on Yankee Station during the war, no one depicted them with such compelling force as R.G. Smith". He further states, "testimony to his distinguished achievements are the many honors he received."

Throughout his career R.G. was recognized and honored in countless ways. He received many prestigious and coveted art awards and was frequently praised for his engineering and design skills. He was rarely comfortable receiving this kind of recognition since he felt he was just doing his job. He did, however, treasure the awards he received signifying service to his country. In 1973 he was designated as "Honorary Naval Aviator No. 10," placing him among the ranks of such notables as Admiral Hyman Rickover, Jimmie Doolittle, Bob Hope and Senator John Warner. In 1979, he was designated an "honorary Blue Angel." He took great pride in The Fighting Hawk Award presented to him in 1987, for his "Countless Enduring Contributions to the Art, Science and Safety of U.S. Marine Corps Aviations."

In 1994, the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola and the McDonnell Douglas Company honored Smith by establishing the "R.G. Smith Award for Artistic Excellence in Aviation Art" to be awarded annually in his name. Culminating a series of successful museum exhibits, last year the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum honored him by hosting an exhibit of his aviation and combat art. The exhibit, titled 'R.G. Smith: The "Old Master" of the Sky'-ran from March to September,2000, and received wide acclaim.

R.G. was a shy and self-effacing man. He was genuinely embarrassed by awards and accolades and always felt they belonged to " those more deserving." To quote his close and longtime friend, Brigadier General Jay Hubbard USMC (ret.), "the fact that this story of a great American ever made it into print is a near miracle because R.G. Smith is a truly quiet man. His modesty is as innate to him as his rare, God-given gifts of mind, eye, and hand." His works will not only chronicle much of the military history of the twentieth century, but will live on to be studied and enjoyed for generations to come.

Smith is survived by his wife of 64 years Betty, a son, Richard Clark Smith, a daughter, Sharlyn Ann Marsh, 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.