Dr. Smith received his BA at Inter American University in San German, Puerto Rico, his BD at Waterloo Seminary in Canada. and his MA and PhD at Ohio State University. IN 1961 he was ordained as a Lutheran minister and served as a parish pastor for five years at Armadale Lutheran Church. As a Professor of English literature, specializing in the medieval period, Dr. Smith taught for 37 years at Bucknell University. When he joined the English Department in 1971, Dr. Smith was the first professor of West Indian descent to earn tenure in the history of the University and for many years was the only black faculty advisor for students of color.

Dr. Smith was one of the founders of Bucknell's London Semester program, and created and served as faculty coordinator for STEP (Summer Transfer Enrichment Program). In addition to his courses in Medieval English literature, Dr. Smith also taught African and Caribbean literature and was a staunch member of the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA).

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Hazel, Mark and Martin; Dr. Smith is also survived by sisters, Doris Pearce of New Jersey, Aveleen Hughes of New York, Barbara Hamlet of Ohio, Joy Esther Hinds of California and brothers, Ivan Smith of London, England and Osmond Smith of New Amsterdam, Guyana. He was the brother-in-law of Winston Hinds of California and the late Dr. Desmond Hamlet of Ohio, who preceded him in death on September 14th of this year. He is mourned by 31 nieces and nephews, in addition to a host of cousins, friends and colleagues, as well as one grandson, Gabriel Alfredo.

A celebration of Dr. Smith’s life and work will be held on November 18th at 11am, in Bucknell Hall located on Loomis Street in Lewisburg, with repast to follow at the Lewisburg Club located at 131 Market Street.

Donations and Accomodations

Funeral arrangements are by the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Market and Eighth streets, Lewisburg.