David E. Smith, MD

Class Year

Affiliation

Faculty

Posted on: January 2, 2018

David English Smith, Jr., MD, died on November 15, 2017 at his home in Austin, Texas from complications of cancer.

He was born in San Francisco on June 9, 1920, the son of David English Smith, Sr., MD, and Myrtle Goodin Smith, both of Charleston, Missouri. Although he spent most of his early years in Bonne Terre, Mo., he would call Charleston his family home. He earned his undergraduate degree at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., in 1941 and his medical degree cum laude from Washington University, in St. Louis, Mo., in 1944. After serving two years in the US Army Medical Corps where he was chief of pathology, theater laboratory European Command, he returned to Washington University in 1948 to teach pathology.

In 1948 he married the love of his life, Peggy Bronson. His professional career took him to Charlottesville, Va., where he chaired the Department of Pathology at the University of Virginia; Philadelphia, Pa., with the National Board of Medical Examiners; New Orleans as associate dean of Tulane Medical School, and retirement to Galveston, Texas, where he maintained a teaching position at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In addition to his faculty appointments, he served as a trustee of the American Board of Pathology and was active in numerous national and international medical boards. He received many awards for his contributions to medical education including the Mullholland Cup, University of Virginia School of Medicine, the Brindley Distinguished Scholar in Pathology at UTMB, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists distinguished service award, and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Washington University. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Beta Pi, and Alpha Epsilon Delta.

He loved the academic, intellectual argument and discussion on both sides of an issue was a sporting activity to him. He would become conversant on a subject to support a family member’s interest. Among other interests, Dave was a clock maker, a handyman, a hunter and a cabinetmaker. His children have special keepsakes in their homes that he designed and built. Books were Dave’s dear friends. Until his eyesight failed him, he could always be occupied with a new book and his extensive library reflected his varied interests.

Superseding all else was his love of family. There was no limit to the love and devotion he showed to his family and he will be sorely missed by all of them. All who knew him will miss his wit, his sense of humor and generosity.