Bob Smith (owner)

Robert Everett Smith

• High School Humble High School

• Born August 28, 1894 in Greenville, TX USA
• Died November 29, 1973 in Houston, TX USA

Biographical Information

Bob Smith played semi-pro baseball for a decade as a young man, then completed officer training school during World War I but never made it to the front. He was an oilfield worker both before and after the war. He then worked in sales for an oilfield supply firm before starting his first business as a drilling contractor in 1920. That business grew quickly, opening an office in Houston, TX in 1925. He speculated successfully by buying land near Houston's airport, which quickly became much more valuable. He soon was the owner of numerous oil wells and also was a regional director of civil defense during World War II. he also acqured massive tracts of land in the area, which he used for ranching cattle and thoroughbred horses.

In 1955, he backed Roy Hofheinz's successful run for mayor, and worked with him to push for the construction of the Astrodome. He was Hofheinz's partner in the acquisition of the Houston Colt .45s, an expansion franchise in the National League awarded to the Houston Sports Association, of which he was a member, on October 17, 1960. He was the majority owner of the team until bought out by Hofheinz on August 3, 1965, after the two had a falling-out. He then concentrated on his other business affairs and various charitable endeavors until his death in 1973.

Related Sites

• Biography from the Texas State Historical Association