Robert Smith – The Solomon Scandals

Building collapses , Charles Smith , Politicians , Sen. Ribicoff , Skyline Plaza , The Solomon Scandals , Washington area life

Robert H. Smith death editorial—and the need for the Washington Post to tell the whole story

David Rothman January 3, 2010October 24, 2010 0 comment

Robert H. Smith, philanthropist and Crystal City developer, gets another paean today from the Washington Post—this time an editorial, which follows an obituary of more than 1,100 words. The Post appropriately notes Smith’s donations of “hundreds of millions of dollars to universities, the arts, historic sites and civic activities.” Given his significance, then, perhaps the […]

The Solomon Scandals , Washington area life

When you die, how many people will sign your Legacy.com page? Six for Robert Smith, so far

David Rothman January 2, 2010February 6, 2010 0 comment

Why all the old jokes about unlucky newspaper people being condemned to the obituary desk? I can understand when the job is simply one of mere hackery. But the best obituaries are like polished feature stories. Fascinated by the genre, I even began The Solomon Scandals with an obit mention. Not everyone makes the news […]

Charles Smith , The Solomon Scandals

Robert Smith’s death as the W. Post covered it: Nothing on Skyline or secret Ribicoff investment

David Rothman December 31, 2009October 24, 2010 0 comment

How did the sprawling Crystal City complex, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, get its name? In the 1960s, developer Robert H. Smith dressed up his first apartment building there with a chandelier in the lobby, and soon the name spread to other Smith properties. It was, as I see it, a perfect example of […]