Dr. Stuart Cameron Smith—devoted husband, father and grandfather, retired physician, accomplished rosarian, passionate gardener and respected member of the Tallahassee community—passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on November 23. Born in 1923 in Providence, Rhode Island, Stuart was raised in Staten Island, New York and went on to study at Duke University from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1945. He earned both an MS and his medical degree from Duke School of Medicine before joining the US Army, where he served honorably during the Korean War treating injured soldiers returning from the battlefields.

He came to Tallahassee as a young physician in 1957 with his bride, Emily, where he practiced independently as the first dermatologist in Florida’s panhandle. For four decades he served a wide community of patients, demonstrating a meticulous professionalism and genuine compassion that would earn him the respect of all whom he served, and served with. That practice formed the basis for its successor Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee, which today serves over 250,000 patients.

His active medical practice, however, was only part of his community involvement. A devout Christian, he was an active member and supporter of Faith Presbyterian Church, as well as a founding Board Member of Maclay School, where he served as its second Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was also active in Rotary and helped establish the Peace Garden in downtown Tallahassee, among other civic endeavors. In addition to his profession, family and his community, he channeled his formidable intelligence into a variety of avocations, including gardening, especially roses—earning the certification of Rose Judge—bridge, classical piano and wine collecting, all of which he pursued with his characteristic exactitude.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends to support the FSU Dermatology Education and Research Fund.