Brother Robert Smith, O.S.F., a member of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn for 66 years, died June 10, after a brief hospitalization. He was 84.

Born in Brooklyn as John D. Smith, he attended St. Patrick’s elementary school, Bay Ridge, and St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn.

He entered the Franciscan Novitiate in 1947 and was first professed in 1948. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Fordham University; his master’s at St. John’s University; and an honorary doctorate from St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights.

Between 1949 and 1955, he taught at various elementary schools, and then was assigned to St. Francis Prep as a teacher and later as assistant principal until 1961. From 1961 to 1963, he was an instructor at St. Francis College.

He was elected to the superior general’s council of the Franciscan Brothers in 1961 and continued as a general consultor until June, 2003. He also served as director of Camp Alvernia, 1956; master of scholastics, 1961-64; treasurer general, 1962-76; and secretary general, 1985-88.

A member of St. Francis College’s board of trustees, 1961-2005, he also served as a member of the boards at St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, and St. Anthony’s H.S., Huntington, L.I.