Robert Riley McAlpine Smith, 23, Birmingham, AL, born January 17, 1989, died June 9, 2012 in a vehicle accident.

Graduate of Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration (2011), University of Alabama, where he lived his dream of playing on the drum line in the Million Dollar Band for four years. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, Alpha Nu pledge class; a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where he served as an acolyte; and a graduate of Shades Valley High School, where he played baseball and was a percussionist for the symphonic and marching bands. He was employed as a banker with Wells Fargo. Riley had a strong interest in nutrition and fitness.

He was devoted to his family & friends, and had a sharp wit and gregarious personality.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Houston Smith, (Martha Williams) Selma, AL; grandmother, Mrs. Robert Henry Bowron, Jr. (Anne Wheelock), Birmingham, AL; uncle, Robert Henry Bowron, III. Descendant of early Birmingham pioneers Joseph Riley Smith, Col. T.O. Smith, James Bowron, and George Frederick Wheelock. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Octavius Smith, IV (Margaret Bowron); sister, Mary Margaret Bowron Smith; grandfather, Robert Henry Bowron, Jr., aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Houston Smith, Jr. (Donna); Mr. and Mrs. Jaffar Ahmad (Catherine) of Chevy Chase, MD; first cousins Julian Houston Smith, III (Stephanie) and Catherine Wheelock Ahmad.

Funeral services were held June 15, 2012 at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. Rev. Huey Gardner officiated. Some of Riley’s classmates and lifelong friends served as pallbearers: Jacob Abdo, Matt Buford, Joe Collins, Robbie Crain, Jake Crenshaw, Will Gibson, Chris Griffin, Justin Grimes, Brett Henderson and Jonathan Truitt. The UA Alma Mater was sung by members of the Million Dollar Band to conclude the service.

Memorials may be made to UA School of Music (Million Dollar Band), Attn: Dean Snead, Box 870366, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487; St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1910 12th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35205; Shades Valley Band, Attn: Mr. Allinder and Mr. Gumina, 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210.