For more than half a century, Dr. Robert Chapin Smith had your
back.

After 53 years of practice and working as many advances in his
profession developed, Smith, a chiropractor with an office on East
Main Street, retired at the end of September.

Smith said that techniques haven’t changed a great deal over the
span of his career, but more has been discovered on how the body
functions.

“But we don’t even know 50 percent of how the body functions,”
Smith said. “There are still lots of surprises and a lot of
learning potential there.”

Smith said he’s seen his fair share of surprises as a
chiropractor over the years.

“I’m always up to a challenge,” Smith said. “If someone comes in
with something difficult, I’m always willing to try, but you also
have to recognize the point when you have to refer to someone else.
… I haven’t really had a lot of challenges. I stepped right into a
practice. I didn’t have to build one.”

Smith was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and after World War II, he went
to Logan College in St. Louis, Mo., on the GI bill. In 1953, he
assumed the practice of Dr. William Chapin, his uncle, in
Salamanca, N.Y. Smith’s son, Bob, was born in Salamanca. In 1961,
he moved the office to Bradford, where his daughter, Lynn, was
born.

“That was a very wise move,” Smith said. “Bradford is a very
great place to live. The people are great here.”

Smith said chiropractic has gained a lot of respect over the
years from improving itself through research and improved colleges,
which have grown over time.

“Chiropractors have been licensed in all the states and
territories, which was not true 50 years ago,” Smith said.
“Chiropractic colleges have expanded greatly. Research has refined
and expanded services. Many universities have schools of
chiropractic. Fifty years ago, this would have just been a
dream.”

Smith said he has continued his education in order to continue
to be licensed over the years, but he also enjoyed the
opportunities he had to continue his education.

“Now, it’s a lot easier because of computers,” Smith said. “But
I like to go personally to listen to people and ask questions. You
can’t ask questions online.”

Smith said chiropractors have always been accepted by the public
but not by the medical society.

“Chiropractic has always been well accepted by the public,”
Smith said. “The greatest change has been the cooperative spirit
that currently exists between health care professionals,” pointing
out DCs (Doctor of Chiropractic), MDs (Medical Doctors), DOs
(Doctor of Osteopathy) and ND (Doctor Naturapth).

“Fifty years ago, the medical society discouraged any
association with chiropractors,” Smith added. “The medical
profession didn’t like competition. Today, many hospitals have DC’s
on their staff. We couldn’t even have dreamed of that 50 years ago.
DC’s are in military bases and veteran hospitals. In sports, most
professional teams utilize DC’s, and in sports medicine, the
ultimate, DC’s serve on the Olympic Health Team.”

Even though Smith said chiropractors have specialized over the
years, he hasn’t really specialized, being considered a family,
small-town doctor.

“Because I’ve been considered a country doctor, I have received
vegetables, fruits, cookies and pies,” Smith said. “I also made a
lot of house calls. I did it in my free time in addition to my
office hours.”

Smith said he’s had a lot of satisfaction from helping people
throughout his career. He said he has treated whole families.

“We really grew up together,” Smith said. “It was difficult to
say good-bye to the people. I always just felt like one of the
family. I felt like I’ve grown up with them. I miss seeing all the
wonderful people I have been privileged to serve these many
years.”

With most of his equipment gradually sold off, Smith looks
forward to spending time with his family, none of which live
locally, during his retirement in addition to catching up with
things he hasn’t gotten to do. He said his greatest joy has been
his family. He and his wife, Kay, just celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary this past summer.

Though Smith has the time to spend with his family now, being
retired still feels weird to him.

“I keep expecting to go back in the office again after so many
years,” Smith said. “I have a lot more free time. I’m used to
putting in some pretty long hours.”