Robert Hoyland Smiley, M.D.
Robert Hoyland Smiley M.D., 94, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away at home on September 20, 2025.
Robert was born on February 24, 1931, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to T.E. and Lillan Smiley. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1956. He did his General Rotation Internship at Ohio State from 1956-1957 and returned to OU for his residency. In 1957, he entered the Army as a medical doctor and became an Army Ranger medic. Robert was honorably discharged in 1963. He was a private practice doctor for 45 years and in 1972 pioneered the cardiovascular surgical department at Clear Lake hospital. He remained at Clear Lake until his retirement 33 years later. He was an avid fisherman and scuba diver.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years Kathy Smiley; children, Susan, Rob, Sharon, Bernie, Andrew, and Sarah; and 9 grandchildren Ashley, Drew, Aubrey, Aaron, Chelsea, Simone, Ed, Grace, and Jacob.
A memorial service will take place at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center Boulevard Webster, TX 77598 on October 3 at 11:00 AM. All are welcome to attend.
Dr Smiley was my mother’s first Cardiovascular surgeon. She spoke fondly of his fim-fim surgery (I believe that’s what it was called) that she had. It allowed her many more years of pain free walking with better circulation. Thank you for sharing him with the community. Rest in Peace Dr. Smiley.
Im sorry to hear this, such a great loss to the medical field. He saved my 16 year old son’s life in 1976 at Danforth Hospital when He had an aneurysm in his lung.
I will be eternally greatful.
Met Dr. Smiley at Clear Lake Hospital as a Nurse Aide in the ICU Department when I was just out of High School in 1981. What a pleasure to sit back and watch him exercise his talent and how people flocked to him with his wonderful sense of humor. He helped me as a student more than he could of even known. RIP Sir.
I can hardly find the words to say.
I have nothing but precious memories of my grandad even at such a young age, I will always cherish… too many to count! He will forever inspire me to strive for the best that life has to offer.
He made me an exceptionally proud granddaughter.
I will always love and admire so much about him.
Fly high, grandad. Grateful for your life and legacy. I love you!
Dr Smiley and I had an interesting, fun, and successful relationship. I have too many stories, and an exponentially greater catalog of memories. Thanks, Bob. See you on the other side. RLTW!