Redbone - Posted - 03/13/2020:  12:53:28

We all appreciate you, Jim. Pass our love and prayers along to Gloria and family. Robin will be greatly missed and kindly remembered...

chuckv97 - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:07:48

My sincere condolences.

Bill-in-NC - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:09:20

So sorry to hear this. He is as good a person that I've ever had the pleasure to deal with in the banjo world. He will be missed greatly. My prayers for his wife and family...Bill

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:10:03

Oh how sad. Condolences to any who knew Robin.

jswkingsfield - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:17:10

banjoez - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:37:35

Very sorry to hear this.

jethrofarmer - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:38:47

I'm so very sorry to hear this- prayers for his family and friends

drmike56 - Posted - 03/13/2020:  13:40:22

Oh no! I’m so sorry!

Texaspaul - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:00:53

Sorry to hear this, I was not blessed to have being a direct recipient of his handiwork. I do enjoy two friends who are, one has one of his conversion necks on a pre ware style 3 that is fantastic, another young man has a banjo Robin made ant is superb. My thoughts and prayers are with Gloria the family and I was close associates and friends God be with you all.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:04:23

Amen. A real loss to the banjo community. I with the best for his family during a sad and difficult time.

Gymbal31 - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:13:38

I was just starting to get serious about the banjo and made a trip down to Nashville. I wandered into his shop because he had done some work for the previous owner on the banjo I had just bought. He remembered it and took the time to talk a bit, tell me about what he thought made a good banjo, showed me a few. Always said hello when I saw him at SPBGMA.

O.D. - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:18:32

I'm saddened to hear this
I was hoping he'd pull through.
My dad went through the same ordeal and is doing ok

I had a Robin Smith neck on a 32 Gibson 3

Condolences

waystation - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:22:06

Very sad. A great guy and one of the best builders around. I'm playing my Kel Kroydon right now.

Robby Boone - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:28:40

Great man, great craftsman, great musician and as funny of a guy as I ever met.........I'm so sorry to hear this.

Robby

Bill Byler - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:29:33

I knew Robin well. He made three banjo necks for me in the last eight years. He was the best. I for one, will miss him greatly. I will certainly miss His wit And humor. He only lived about 20 minutes from my house. I will miss him saying “ Yep, it sounds like a banjo”. And another one of his famous sayings “ Hand grenades are loud, But nobody wants to listen to them“. I miss him already.  I considered him one of my best friends.   Dear GOD I miss him.

Edited by - Bill Byler on 03/13/2020 14:44:16

Brett - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:49:29

Robin was working on my ball bearing and when I expressed disappointment over the tone, he said “hey, what’d you expect, it’s a ball bearing!” He was a super nice fellow, easy to talk to, talented as can be, and could whip out funny quips. I will miss him. The ball bearing tone thing was my fault for having a super slack head, it turned around. I guess I made 4 trips to his lovely home, and nice shop, and always felt welcome and enjoyed Robin. A real loss and shame, as he had the perfect banjo tinker setup, with a wonderful shop right behind his home.

banjoy - Posted - 03/13/2020:  15:34:57

arnie fleischer - Posted - 03/13/2020:  15:39:07

As everyone has said, a very sad day.

dmiller - Posted - 03/13/2020:  16:18:59

So sad to hear this news.  My condolences to the family.

.

saltcreek - Posted - 03/13/2020:  18:58:13

Great man and a friend to all he will surely be missed .

Stevespickn - Posted - 03/13/2020:  19:37:39

I met him some 20 years ago. He will be missed by musicians, family and friends. RIP

saulsmanb - Posted - 03/13/2020:  20:07:21

I have no connection to Robin but his passing saddens me and moves me to think of his family and friends. His reputation seems well earned. Good people are the real deal. RIP

Brian Saulsman

Tim Purcell - Posted - 03/14/2020:  04:13:07

Very sad news. Prayers for his family during this difficult time.

Tim

ceemonster - Posted - 03/14/2020:  05:24:40

So sorry to hear this. My Kel Kroydon Style 2 has a beautiful walnut Heartland neck. Thoughts to the family of Mr. Smith.

AmericanMadeBanjo - Posted - 03/14/2020:  05:43:35

I spoke with Gloria yesterday and received the sad news. Rob was a great friend througout our banjo building & personal journey together for 25+ years. We talked almost every day and helped each other get through our businesses good days & bad days as best we could. Most days we never talked about banjos, which IMO were the best conversations.

One of our recent conversations was regarding the both of us fully retiring from the banjo business. We constantly talked about what we were going to do when retired. Rob's retirement plan was sooner than later as we talked many a day how we are not getting any younger. Rob worried about the banjo players who he would effect if he retired and, was torn between making the correct decesion. A compasionate man for the banjo and his customers he was. I am specially sad that Rob never got to live his retirement dreams that we laughed and chuckled about on many occasions. A lesson for many of us to live life while you can, as it can end ubruptly without notice.

I will sadly miss by best friend until we meet again.

jdluke - Posted - 03/14/2020:  06:29:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by AmericanMadeBanjo

I spoke with Gloria yesterday and received the sad news. Rob was a great friend througout our banjo building & personal journey together for 25+ years. We talked almost every day and helped each other get through our businesses good days & bad days as best we could. Most days we never talked about banjos, which IMO were the best conversations.



One of our recent conversations was regarding the both of us fully retiring from the banjo business. We constantly talked about what we were going to do when retired. Rob's retirement plan was sooner than later as we talked many a day how we are not getting any younger. Rob worried about the banjo players who he would effect if he retired and, was torn between making the correct decesion. A compasionate man for the banjo and his customers he was. I am specially sad that Rob never got to live his retirement dreams that we laughed and chuckled about on many occasions. A lesson for many of us to live life while you can, as it can end ubruptly without notice.



I will sadly miss by best friend until we meet again.

---

?

okbluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 03/14/2020:  06:31:51

I'm not sure anything I could write, would equal the sadness inside; suffice it to say that I wish I could have met him. 

Robin's fantastic necks and woodworking expertise will not be forgotten.

I send his family my sincere condolences. 

I feel badly that I didn't see the update until this morning. I'm writing this from Kansas. 

texasbanjos - Posted - 03/14/2020:  07:42:02

My sincerest condolences to all of Robin's family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 03/14/2020:  08:54:50

this is sad for sure,,, i will miss him greatly,,, i got to know robin in 2001 and he had built and did work for me through the years,,, he was always glad to help any way he could,,, always had a witty remark and used to tell me "you can't play like that",, referring to my upside down left-handed ways. every time i called it didn't take but a couple of words and he knew who it was. he will surely be miss . prayers to gloria and the family

northernbelle - Posted - 03/14/2020:  10:46:44

So sad, so sorry. I hope he and his family knew how much affection and respect so many had for him and his legendary craftsmanship. Deepest condolences to Gloria and family during this hardest of all times... Thank you Jim for your constant updates and support for his wife.

TonyW - Posted - 03/14/2020:  11:38:17

Will be praying for the family and he will surely be missed by the banjo community.

BanjoLink - Posted - 03/14/2020:  11:41:42

Terrible news. Condolences to his wife and family on the loss of a terrific gentleman.

RB00 - Posted - 03/14/2020:  14:28:58

Praying for the family in this difficult time. Robin was a joy to talk to and will be missed.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/14/2020:  15:53:27

My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very trying time.

Buddur - Posted - 03/14/2020:  17:04:52

Sorry to hear this. Kinda figured he'd pull through what with modern medicine nowadays.

Condolences to his family and friends. I like to think he's catching up with old friends now.

jjonzee - Posted - 03/14/2020:  18:54:26

Rob helped me on many projects. He did some amazing work. He could do whatever I asked him but sometimes he’d put the brakes on and say, “Yeah, but would anyone like it?!” He just finished a project for me a few days before his attack. Typical Rob, 4 other builders involved but he tied everything together and made it look and sound great. He’ll be missed...

Arthur Hatfield - Posted - 03/15/2020:  08:00:52

Very saddened by Robins passing. Thoughts and prayers for the family. Not only a great builder and repair man but a great person. I have known him for about 20 years every since I have been in the banjo business. always had a smile when he seen you and never seemed to complain about anything. Done jobs that I didn't feel comfortable in taking. I sent a lot of people to him for things I didn't feel safe in taking. He will be missed by all the banjo community not only as a builder and repair man but as a friend. I have called on him occasionally for a favor and he never turned me down and always happy to do them as I was towards him. Not thought of as a competitor but as a friend. Rest in peace many hearts are saddened.

GStump - Posted - 03/15/2020:  09:25:34

Prayers and condolences for his wife and family, friends and neighbors. A great guy, who WILL be missed for a long time.

kat eyz - Posted - 03/15/2020:  09:26:13

I met Robin & Gloria at SPBGMA 2005 i believe . In the following years we both had vendor booths there and quickly became good friends We were on the same page about a lot of life issues . Solid man with a great since of humor and tremendous work ethic . If he told you your new banjo would be complete in 18 weeks it was done in 18 weeks . He was a rock solid acoustic bass player too. I sure will miss Robin ...my kind of guy for sure rest in peace my friend .

bbanjoboy - Posted - 03/15/2020:  10:50:02

Robin was one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life. God bless his family.

Forrest - Posted - 03/16/2020:  12:37:14

My condolences to Robin's family for their loss. Robin was one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. I'll always treasure my Style 11 that he converted. The neck is a thing of joy and beauty and his craftsmanship was like no other.

910banjo1 - Posted - 03/16/2020:  18:13:19

Robin helped me with a few projects as well. He was great to deal with. The bluegrass/banjo community has lost a special person. My condolences to his family.

TNCowboy - Posted - 03/17/2020:  18:05:42

Jim just texted me wondering if I heard about Robin's passing; been so busy I hadn't.

Doesn't seem real. Didn't matter how much time had passed, Robin always greeted you warmly when you called and was quick to cut up and laugh.

He had a rare talent that went far beyond his skill as a Luthier and musician. He leaves a big hole that won't be filled

Prayers and condolences to his family and friends

maxmax - Posted - 03/18/2020:  06:02:19

I'm so sorry to here about this. I unfortunately never had the opportunity to meet Robin in person, but I talked to him on several occasions over the years. He was always incredibly friendly and helpful. While we most only talked about banjos, I can only share of my experience of working with him as a customer.

He talked me through everything including details on custom neck dimensions, widths and scale lengths, compound radius and tons aesthetic options. I don't think there is anyone out there that offers the amount of customization that Rob could, and to top it all off, he didn't charge more for this highly customized banjo than what most other builders charge for a standard off the rack instrument of equal build. He never once made me feel annoying with all my questions, the other way around I could tell he was excited about getting everything exactly like I was hoping for and gave me lots of thoughts and ideas about every detail.

It is my most prized instrument I have ever owned, I love everything about it, and now I feel like it has an added sentimental value as well.

My thoughts to his family and friends. I am sure you miss him very much.
Max

Heartland Tenor

 

PickinFool - Posted - 03/20/2020:  17:11:17

I’m so saddened to hear of Robin’s passing. I only knew him through phone conversations a few years ago when he was doing a project for me. Seemed like a really fine person. Genuine.

Condolences to his family.

Robin, “Go Rest High On That Mountain”.

Your friend,

Phil

sbrechter - Posted - 04/25/2020:  11:33:33

Just found out about Rob's passing. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. Rob was one of the kindest people I've ever known and among the 'best of the best' banjo makers and repairmen. I just started having him do work for me in January, but I feel like I've known him forever. Rest in peace.

heavy5 - Posted - 04/26/2020:  08:12:34

Never knew or did business with Robin but from what I have read , he certainly must have been a fine person . I did not know until just recently he was the bass player for Ronnie Reno I've seen on TV many times .
My condolences to his family .