The Rev. Robert Boynton Smith, who served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in a variety of capacities during a career in ministry spanning more than 50 years, died April 24. He was 77.

A native of Bath, SC, Smith grew up in Augusta, GA. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he graduated from Presbyterian College and Union Theological Seminary (now Union-PSCE) and later continued his studies at Edinburgh University in Scotland and Oxford University in England.

Smith spent 30 years in pastoral ministry, mostly in Mississippi and Texas. In 1986 he was named president of World Neighbors, a global self-help organization, for which he traveled extensively in South America, Asia, India and Africa.

From 1989 until his retirement in 2003, Smith served as a special assistant to the president of the PC(USA)’s Board of Pensions, helping the board and the church navigate difficult and complex financial circumstances with grace and good humor.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rita; sons Buckner and Boynton and his wife Elizabeth Smith; granddaughters Adair and Amelia Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Services was scheduled for April 27 at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.