White House Historical Association

Robert Lee Smith

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"Robert Lee Smith," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1003.
Position
Pantryman
Years in President's House
circa 1944
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Presidency
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Biography
The 1944 White House staff roster included pantryman Robert Lee Smith. The duties of a pantryman included managing food supplies, shining silver, washing dishes, cleaning and organizing the pantry spaces, and assisting with some food preparation. (1) As this was a common name in D.C., it is difficult to discern further details about Smith’s life or career at this time.
(1) "Roster of White House Employees, Revised, April 1, 1944," Folder: Investigative Case Files, 1934-1945, Records of the United States Secret Service, 1933-1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
Birthplace
Unclear from Context