Class Notes

…..still waiting

received a promotion with Norfolk Southern. The family, wife, Brandi Hill Smith ’04, and children relocated to Helena, Alabama

With the sure and certain hope of everlasting life with her Lord, Barbara Marie Hubbard Smith passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at her home with her husband, Ralph, beside her. Born Feb. 8, 1932, in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Joy (Donatti) Hubbard. Barbara was raised in Chicago and graduated from Wells High School in Chicago. She then went on to graduate from Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Barbara earned her master’s degree in Christian education, graduating from McCormick Theological Seminary. Following graduation, she worked for one year as the director of Christian education at the Laramie, Wyo., Presbyterian Church. Barbara returned to Chicago to marry Pastor Ralph G. Smith, whom she met while attending McCormick. They were married July 10, 1960, in Chicago, and he survives. As her husband was called to serve churches in Vandalia, Ill., Milwaukee, Seymour, Brookston, Ind., and Sharonville, Ohio, Barbara served in various capacities in those churches which included being a Sunday school teacher, an ordained deacon, the church organist and pianist, the youth group adviser, the church librarian and a choir member, singing alto. But more importantly, Barbara was a mother to their first and only child, Susan Marie, who was a special needs child. Susan Marie was born in 1961 and died to eternal life in 1994. Barbara was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. Barbara had many interests which included the education of the mentally challenged, the theological study and research of the New Testament scriptures, the environmental issues facing our society, reading mystery novels, playing computer games and sewing. Surviving with her husband, Pastor Ralph Smith, are a brother-in-law, John Koziar, and a sister-in-law, Judy Hubbard, both of McHenry County, Ill. She was preceded in death by their daughter, Susan Marie; a sister, Dolores Koziar; and a brother, James Hubbard.

age 76 of Bradenton, FL, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. She was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother to her family. She approached all things with energy, passion, and discipline and had many hobbies and enjoyed many activities—but the true love of her life was her husband, Jim. She valued education and graduated from Clinton (TN) High School and received a B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee. She continued her education with a Masters in Library Science from Peabody College, and then completed her law degree. Her enthusiasm for education continued late in life as she was proud to help remodel and dramatically improve the library at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, FL. She tried to better herself at each of her many hobbies, including tennis, golf, daily exercise, prolific reading, educational travel, and she enjoyed the symphony and the theater. She had a lifelong love for music and was recently learning to master playing the hammered dulcimer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace Vinson Wells, Jr. and Dorothy Overall Wells, as well as her sister Nancy Wells Townsend. She is survived by her loving husband, James R (Jim) Smith, her children, Bill Wiesehuegel and wife, Renee, Susan Cress and her husband, Dan, and Robert Wiesehuegel as well as her sisters, Katrina Counts and Dorothy Cunningham and stepchildren, Kim Smith, Greg Smith, and Kyri Smith, along with six grandchildren

age 76, of Elmira, NY formerly of Schoharie, NY passed away on Thursday evening, July 3, 2014 at her home with her family. Julia was born in Chester, PA on June 30, 1938, to the late parents of Stanley and Virginia (Forrest) Sanderson, and was the younger sister of Virginia (Sanderson) Matthews. A 1955 graduate of Bogota High School, she then attended Maryville College where she met her future husband Robert Smith and continued onto Farleigh Dickinson University earning her English and Philosophy degree. Julia and Robert were married on New Year’s Day, 1960, in Germantown, MD. Robert’s ministry led them to Alaska, Pittsburg, Detroit, Chicago, and Washington D.C. finally settling down in Schoharie, NY in 1970, only moving to Elmira, NY in 2012. Julia’s children and grandchildren are Stephen (deceased), husband of Susanne (Lansing), Hayden and Harrison of Whitesboro, NY; David and Donna (Lucas), Emma Rose of Reading, PA; Mark of Goodland, FL; Jonathan and Denise (Allen), Zackary and Alexander of Seward, NY; Amy and Peter Finnerty, Andrew, Patrick and Alisaundre of Elmira, NY. Julia was a lover of children, books, artistry, flowers, and birds. Julia always maintained her sweet and simple demeanor for daily living, displaying incredible strength and an unwavering faith in God. She continuously possessed grace and demonstrated her thoughtfulness and selflessness by caring for all living things. Julia was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, and previously a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Albany, Duanesburg Christ Episcopal Church, and Schoharie United Presbyterian Church. Details of a funeral service to be held at the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, Julia hopes that we find the inspiration to share acts of kindness with others, not just in her memory, but in our daily lives.

is now heading the Data Integration, Migration and Exploitation Program at the National Ground Intelligance Center in Charlottesville, VA. Is wife Sarah has been busy with her acting career with appearances in “Lincoln”, “The Abolitionists” and the TV series “VEEP”. Their oldest daughter Lauren Pugh is a registered nurse at Richmond Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Va. Their son Aaron Smith is a member of the Brown-Greer law firm currently living in New Orleans. Their youngest daughter Ana Smith is currently a pre-med student at Georgetown University.

received a promotion with his job at Norfolk Southern Railroad in March of 2014 and relocated his family (wife & 2 daughters) from the Tuscaloosa, AL area to West Lafayette, IN.

works in Morganton, NC as a community and educational interpreter and is NIC (National Interpreter Certification) Advanced.

Henry “Dave” Smith, 85, of Hamilton passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Born in Rock Hill, SC, Henry was a lifelong area resident. He attended Maryville College in Tennessee. Dave was most proud of being an Eagle Scout and an Army veteran. He was a retired chemist with the Department of Environmental Protection, State of New Jersey, with 30 years of service. Son of the late Henry D. and Julia Kathleen Matheson Smith, and husband of the late Maryann Marocco Smith, he is survived by his two devoted children, Henry “Dave” Smith and his wife, Bethann, and Anita Lubrano and her husband, Marco; his brother, Hayne M. Smith; his three cherished grandchildren, Sabrina and Julia Lubrano and Henry J. Smith, and his special niece and nephew, Joann Marino and James Abbott.

received the Outstanding Instructor Award by Scuba Diving International (SDI) in recognition of exceptional scuba diving instruction, outstanding contributions and dedication to the sport for 2014. Michael previously received the recognition in 2011 and 2013 and is now teaching SDI and NAUI courses in scuba diving in Stuart, Florida.

of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. She was a native of Cleveland, OH and the daughter of John Stephen and Beatrice Grace Harris Suzo. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Darrell Marion Smith; sons, Keith (Becky), Brian (Kelsey), Trevor (Amber), Cody (Ashley); adored grandson, Jackson Thomas Smith; sister, Eileen (David) Crawford; brothers, Michael (Kathy) Suzo and Steven (Trish) Suzo. A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Murfreesboro Funeral Home. Visitation with the family was 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Linda was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and aunt to family members, and a host of great friends and their families. She was an educator in all that she did, including: A.I. Root Middle School math teacher (loving her “squirrels”, as she called them), Medina, OH; Christian education director at several different churches, genealogy researcher, and art enthusiast. She also was an avid gardener, whose colorful flowers reflected her true beauty. She attended John Marshall H.S., Cleveland, OH; had a B.A. in Mathematics, Maryville College TN; and a Master’s in Education, University of Akron, OH.

Died Monday, July 27, 2015 at her home in Dayton, Maryland, of congestive heart failure. She graduated from high school at 16, and spent the next year teaching at the local elementary school. In 1949, she earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, where she also met and married Glenn Smith. In addition to raising four children, she worked as a teacher, a social worker, a reading specialist, and an elementary school guidance counselor. In everything she did, she used her compassion, her intelligence, and her energy to help others. She was a natural teacher and a loving mother, and she will be missed. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Glenn Smith ’50 in 1998; by her second husband, Fred Smith ’43 in 2002, and by her eldest son, Kenneth Smith of Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her children Terry Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Karen Smith of Kensington, Maryland and Brenda Damario of Owings, Maryland; and by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

passed from this life on Sept. 1, 2015, at Westhaven Villa in Aberdeen, WA. She was born on May 14, 1920 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Claude and Louise Augusta (Matschikowski) Smith. She graduated from Withrow High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, class of 1938. She then attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Music Minor. Doris went to work for Cincinnati Milling Machine, keeping attendance records. She then moved to a stenographer position and paid off her college loan and purchased War Bonds. Living on the bonds she had purchased while working, she enrolled in The University of Cincinnati and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1948. She taught in public schools in both Ohio and Washington until retiring to Pacific Beach, WA in 1980. She would later live in Hoquiam and Aberdeen. Miss Smith was an accomplished musician and paid soloist. She had been a longtime active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where she served three years on the St. Andrew’s Vestry and was “Member of the Year” in 1998. She was also active in the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, where in 1983 was citizen of the year for O3A; the Senior Information & Assistance Program and Long Term Care. She is survived by her nephews, Robert W. Baldwin Jr. of Lacey, Wash. and John S. Baldwin of Beaverton, Ore.; nieces-in-law, Nancy and Carol Baldwin, grandnephews, Matthew Baldwin of Albany, Ore. and Bryon Baldwin of Seattle, Wash.; grand-nieces, Stacy Roseboro of Lacey, Washington and Catherine Baldwin of New York, N.Y.; grand-nephew-in-law, Steve Roseboro, grand-niece-in-law, Katie Baldwin; great-grand-nephews, Tyler and Sawyer Baldwin and great grand-niece, Libbey Baldwin.

In December of 2015 she graduated with a Master’s degree in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University.

Edward Dyal Smith, age 70, of Flat Rock died Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Elizabeth House. He was born June 20, 1945 in Knoxville, TN; a son of the late, Marion Lee Smith and Emily Elizabeth Dyal Smith. Dr. Smith graduated from Alcoa High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Maryville College in Maryville, TN. He received his PhD in Chemistry from Auburn University and completed one year post-doctoral fellowship in Ames, IA. Ed retired from DuPont in Brevard, as the senior research chemist, was a member of the Hendersonville Country Club, and the Henderson County Zoning Board. He enjoyed fishing and custom fishing rod building. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ruth Morrill Smith; son, Michael Edward Smith of Stuart, FL; daughter, Monica Elizabeth Smith of Fletcher; sister, Marian Smith Rodgers and husband, Glenn of Beaver Creek, OH; grandson, Joshua Michael Smith of Hendersonville; two nephews, Thomas Rodgers and wife, Lauren and James Rodgers and wife, Laurie, and their children, Jaxon and Mason. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 27, 2016 in the Our Lady of Angels Chapel of Immaculate Conception Church. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Edward’s memory be directed to Maryville College, New Science Building Fund, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804; or to Free Clinics, 841 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

Edward Franklin Smith, age 77 of Knoxville passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at his home. He was the son of Blennie and Izola Smith. Edward was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a graduate of Everett High School and Maryville College. Edward taught and coached football at Eagleton Junior High School and Maryville Junior High. He started his career at Alcoa Aluminum Co. of America in 1966 and spanned over several ALCOA locations from: Alcoa, TN, Davenport, IA, Massena, NY, Evansville, IN, Richmond, IN, and Pittsburgh, PA. Edward retired from ALCOA in 1997 as a Senior Industrial Relations Consultant. He was a former member of East Maryville Baptist Church and current member of Concord Baptist Church, Farragut, TN. Preceded in death by: father, Blennie Smith; mother, Izola Smith; brothers, David Smith and Otie B. Smith. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. David Rankin, and all the staff of UT Hospice and Elk Valley Home Health. Survivors include: wife, Denise Smith of Knoxville, TN; children, Anthony Smith (Tony) and wife Terry L. Smith of Zionsville, IN, Timothy L. Smith and wife Lisa of Evansville, IN, Thomas G. Smith of Maryville, TN, Tara S. Hontzas of Bessemer, AL, and Jackie S. and husband Teddy Hontzas of Hoover, AL; grandchildren, Stephanie and Morgan Smith, Jacqueline Coggins and husband, Hunter, Zoe Hontzas, Georgia, Sophia, Olivia and Constantine Hontzas, Luke and Lance Smith; siblings, John Smith of Niota, TN, Dorothy and husband Jim Everett of Maryville, TN, Wesley Earl and Nancy Smith of Oak Ridge, TN, Fred Smith and wife Gail of Knoxville; sisters-in-law, Betty Smith and Ann Smith both of Maryville, TN; numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law. Family received friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Monday, April 18, 2016 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Funeral service followed at 7:00 pm with Pastor Steve Simpson officiating. Family and friends assembled for interment at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, alztennessee.org Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000,

writes in to share that he was recently promoted to Solutions Architect by Capital One Financial Corp. Core Card Processing Unit. His youngest daughter Ana Kathryn graduated with a B.S. in Biology Pre-Med with a minor in the French Language from Georgetown University. He is still avoiding retirement and the grim reaper.

Barbara E. Smith, Professor Emerita of Skidmore College, died on July 11, 2016. She was born on June 26, 1927 in Menominee, Michigan, the daughter of Enid and Leslie Eggleston. She grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin, twin city to Menominee. After graduating from Marinette High School, she attended Maryville College in Tennessee, graduating with highest honors. She was valedictorian of both her high school and college graduating classes. A lover of books, she worked in the library at Maryville and several other colleges and universities where her husband, Robert (Bob) Smith, was teaching. After Bob joined the Skidmore faculty, Barbara earned an M.A. degree in library science at SUNY Albany and joined the Skidmore faculty as a reference librarian. As such, she greatly enjoyed assisting her Skidmore colleagues in their research. She spent a sabbatical researching British government documents. After publishing several articles comparing the American and British government document systems, she was invited on two occasions to lecture at British universities. She spent a sabbatical semester as an intern at the U.S. Government Printing Office which publishes and distributes government documents. She also was a member of and served a term as chair of a government committee that oversaw the Government Printing Office and insured that government documents were widely distributed. For these efforts, she was honored with a formal dinner and an article describing her achievements by the American Library Association in its official publication. Barbara and Bob were happily married for sixty-six years. She was the loving and beloved mother of two sons, Michael and Kevin. She greatly enjoyed family life and activities and especially loved camping and hiking with her family in the Adirondacks. She was an avid reader, enjoyed biking and swimming, and had a special fondness for ocean beaches. She loved music, theater, and movies. She also enjoyed sports and, especially, watching baseball on television. She loved traveling, and she and Bob spent a year at Oxford University, extended periods in London, and trips by car throughout the European continent, including travel to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. In sum, Barbara lived a happy, active, interesting, and useful life. She will be greatly missed by her family, relatives, and friends. She is survived by her husband Bob, sons Michael Smith and Kevin Smith, their wives Gina Odell and Lynn Hall, respectively, and granddaughter Emily Smith. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on August 6, 2016, at Hospice & Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 U.S Highway 11, Potsdam, NY, 13676.

Sharon Musick Smith, March 31, 1931 – December 20, 2016, daughter of Doris and Mary Leavelle Musick was born in Huntington, WV. Sharon graduated from Maryville College with a B.S. in Biology. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Sands Smith, who passed in 2009. They were married for fifty years. Sharon and Dick owned and operated the now historically preserved Sahuaro Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. They moved to Wickenburg in the late 1970’s. Sharon was very loving and nurturing to her brother, sister and all the nieces and nephews that needed her help. She extended that same care to her friends, neighbors and her animals. She enjoyed volunteering, raising and training their many horses, golf, bridge, gardening and cooking. She was a devoted member of both Las Damas and Saddle Bags riding groups. She is survived by her brother, Emmet Colbert, sister-in-law Donna Colbert, sister Mary Leavelle Colbert, nieces and nephews: Carol Funderburgh, Lisa Colbert, Glenn Colbert, Philip Mulford. Great nieces and nephews: Alexa Bays, Erick Thompson, Cliff Thompson, Lacy Colbert. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Miriam Nethery (“Micki”) Smith, passed away on February 19, 2017, at the age of 96. Born in Council Bluffs, IA, she was educated at Maryville College and the University of Illinois, later working as a librarian at Purdue and UK. In 1945, she married the love of her life, Walter “Tom” Smith, a UK chemistry professor, with whom she shared a passion for travel. They spent many summers touring Europe and a year each at universities in Libya and Lebanon. She was a devoted and attentive mother and a tireless volunteer reader for the blind, an activity that earned her the status of honorary Kentucky Colonel. She is survived by sons Gary Smith of Lexington and Larry Smith of Orono, Maine and his wife Linda Silka, as well as a niece Louise Berry (Dave) and nephews Tom Crawford (Pat) and David Crawford (Eileen). A funeral service was held on Thur, Feb 23, 2017, 1:30pm, Milward-Southland. Burial will follow at the Lexington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Bluegrass. www.milwardfuneral.com

Clifford Smith, age 89, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away May 24, 2018. He was a retired teacher from the Oak Ridge Schools and also retired from the Oak Ridge Schools Federal Credit Union. He was born August 22, 1928, and was raised in East Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Harmon Smith and Ann McCall Smith, and by his wife of 53 years, Wanda Smith, and by his son Stephen. He survived by his son, Mark, of Bristol, Tennessee, and by his daughter-in-law Norma Smith, of Del Ray Beach, Florida, and by his brother, Ralph Smith, of Alcoa, and by his sister and brother-in-law JoAnn and Marion Waters of Maryville. He graduated from Maryville College in 1950 and was almost immediately drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was in an Anti Aircraft Artillery Unit. He rose to the rank of Sergeant in a little over one year. He spent most of his overseas time in Germany. After his discharge he continued his graduate work at the University of Tennessee where he was also an instructor in the College of Education during the summer period. He was a teacher in the Oak Ridge School System for 30 years. After retiring form teaching he was assistant manager of the Oak Ridge Schools Federal Credit Union for over 20 years. Most of his teaching career was spent at Jefferson Junior High School where he at different times taught art, science, and mathematics. He was also the seventh and eighth grade basketball coach for 15 years. He was also the Director of the Science Materials Information Services program for the Regional Science Experience Center and the Center for In-Service Education as well as other major regional projects funded by the National Science Foundation. He illustrated several books and many newsletters, and did many drawings for the Oak Ridger especially during the World’s Fair. After retiring from the credit union he assisted in the design and development of the new National Knife Museum and his work is still viewed by thousands of visitors to Smoky Mountain Knife Works in Sevierville. He was always proud of his years of association with the thousands of JJHS students that he had class, and with the fine Oak Ridge teachers, administrators, and school employees with whom he taught and worked. The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans’ Home who showed Clifford much love and gave him support during his final years.

Michael “Mike” Edward Smith, 35 of Stuart, FL passed away August 28, 2018 at his home. Mike was born April 13, 1983 in Asheville, NC he lived most of his life in North Carolina and moved to Stuart three years ago. He worked for Stuart Scuba. He leaves behind his beloved mother, Mary, loving sister, Monica Elizabeth and cherished son, Joshua Michael. He joins his father, Edward Dyal Smith who preceded him in death. For those who would like to make a memorial contribution in Mike’s memory the family would like to suggest, Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TX 37804; Diveheart, 900 Ogden Ave, #274 Downers Grove IL 60515 (to find out more information about this non-profit see their websitewww.diveheart.org) or the family will be establishing an education fund for Mike’s son, Joshua. A Mass will be celebrated September 10, 2018 in NC. A complete obituary and guest registry may be found at www.treasurecoastseawinds.com

Potsdam, NY – Dr. Robert F. Smith, Professor Emeritus at Skidmore College, died on October 9, 2018 at the age 93. He was born in La Follette, Tennessee, the son of Elbert and Gladys Smith. He graduated from La Follette High School at 15 and attended Maryville College and the University of Tennessee before joining the U.S. Navy in 1943 during World War II at the age of 17. He spent three years as a Navy medical corpsman with 18 months overseas and sea duty that included service aboard the battleship, USS Wisconsin. After the war, he returned to Maryville College, majoring in political science and receiving the B.A. degree in 1948. He then attended graduate school at Tennessee (M.A, 1951) and the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1955) While doing graduate work, he taught two years at Tennessee, a course at Northwestern University, and a year at Idaho State. After receiving the Ph.D. he taught five years at Southern Methodist University before coming to Skidmore in 1960. He also taught in summer programs at the University of Rhode Island and SUNY at Buffalo and taught and directed a Peace Corps Program at Iowa State University. He retired from Skidmore in 1987. At the University of Chicago, Professor Smith studied with Professors Leo Strauss and Hans Morgenthau. His primary academic interests were political philosophy and international relations. At Skidmore, he was responsible for political philosophy courses but also taught in other political science areas. He enjoyed his teaching, and was fond of, made friends with, and greatly appreciated his students. He loved his subject matter. His philosophical reference was the teachings of the ancient Greeks, and he liked to declare that his hero was Socrates. When asked after retiring if he was glad of spending his life teaching, he replied with his typical sense of humor: "How else could a person get paid to read books?" During his career, Professor Smith received research grants from the Danforth and Ford Foundations and spent a year at Oxford University researching the John Locke papers. He also spent several sabbatical leaves in London and traveling throughout Europe with his wife and children. His writings were versatile. They included editing an anthology on post-war Germany, co-authoring monographs on the Middle East and the teaching of International Relations, several articles on political philosophy and American politics, and numerous book reviews and review articles. Politically active, Professor Smith served four years as the Democrat County Chairman, several terms as the Wilton Town Chairman and Vice Chairman, a member of the Democrat State Committee, County coordinator for several Presidential candidates, and a County Committeeman. Professor Smith loved sports and the outdoors. He played football, baseball, wrestled at Maryville and Tennessee, and helped coach the Skidmore baseball team in its early stages. He was a football and baseball fan and enjoyed watching professional games on television, as well as biking, fishing, hiking, and gardening. He especially enjoyed playing with his family and hiking and camping with them in the Adirondacks. When his two sons were very young, he spent so much time with them that some of his friends declared that they were the only two boys in town who had "two mothers." He often remarked that the trouble with being retired was that a person was too busy to have time to do all the things he wanted to do. In sum, Professor Smith lived an active and happy life. Professor Smith is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara, nee Eggleston, of sixty-six years, and survived by sons Michael and Kevin, their wives Gina and Lynn, and granddaughter Emily. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends. He was buried at the Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs in a private ceremony attended by family and friends. A memorial service celebrating the lives of Professor Smith, and his wife, Barbara, will be held on May 25, 2019, at Skidmore College's Wilson Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Spring (518-584-5373).

Reverend Robert D. Smith, formerly of Schoharie, NY, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Elmira, after a courageous 17-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Robert was born in Germantown, MD, to the late Ray and Glenna (DuVall) Smith. He met his wife, Julia, while attending Maryville College in Tennessee. Knowing he had been called to be a Presbyterian minister, Robert continued on to the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. After graduating from seminary, he began his early ministry by living the gospel as a community organizer in the inner cities of Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. In 1970, Robert and his family moved to Schoharie, where he began his 17-year ministry as pastor of the Schoharie Presbyterian Church larger parish which was composed of Carlisle, Esperance, Breakabeen, and North Blenheim churches. During this same time period in Schoharie, Robert, even with all of his familial and religious responsibilities, created time to appreciate the simple, quiet beauty of life. One of his life’s many projects was to hand-build a beautiful stone house modeled after those he saw while participating in an ecumenical work camp in Denmark. In many ways, this embodied his persistence and dedication to long term goals. Just as Robert carefully selected sedimentary rocks and stones from creek beds and fields to form the foundation of his house, he immersed himself in numerous settings to lay the groundwork for being a minister. Just as he admired the beauty and the challenges of the rocks in their earthly journeys, Robert applied thoughtfulness when he ministered to the sick, homeless, and poor, as a pastor. After choosing the stones for his house, Robert methodically, boldly, and enthusiastically constructed a house with breathtaking features–a spiral staircase, and graceful, measured leaded glass windows. This deliberate, authentic attitude translated to the 17 years that he oversaw the Schoharie parishes. His open-mindedness and resourcefulness during construction mirrored his admirable ability to foster long term growth in congregations and communities, highlighting their strengths and beauty. Indeed, the finished product, a “stone house on the hill,” worthy of its Danish inspiration, served as a noble tribute to Robert’s most important values in life: service and love. Simply, Robert strived to exemplify the principled life that Jesus–a carpenter himself, no less–called upon us to live as children of God. At the conclusion of his time in Schoharie, Robert spent one year in Scotland participating in a pulpit exchange before living in the “stone house on the hill.” Several years later, Robert returned to his calling, which was his passion for revitalizing urban congregations, such as the ones at the Schenectady State Street Presbyterian Church and the Vale Community. In addition, he enjoyed serving the congregation at Christ Church of the Hills in Rotterdam. Later, he was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus of the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by Julia, his beloved wife of 55 years; son, Stephen; and sister, Gay Fetrow. He is survived by his children: David (Donna) of Limington, ME; Mark of Goodland, FL; Jonathan of Cobleskill, NY; Amy (Peter) Finnerty of Elmira; his daughters-in-law, Susanne (Marcy, NY) and Denise (Cobleskill, NY); his sister, Patricia Watkins of Frederick, MD; his grandchildren, Hayden and Harrison (Stephen), Emma (David), Zackary and Alexander (Jonathan), Andrew, Patrick, and Alisaundre (Amy); along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service for Robert will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 1pm, at the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church. Please join his family in celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church or Schenectady State Street Presbyterian Church. Robert’s tribute wall may be signed at www.olthof.com.

Kathryn A. Smith passed away on February 3, 2020.