IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Robert
Smith
October 16, 1913 – December 13, 2006
Obituary
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Dr. Robert Gillen Smith, 93, of Arnold, Pfeiffer Professor of Political Science Emeritus at Drew University in New Jersey, died Dec. 13 at FutureCare-Chesapeake in Arnold.
The son of the late John W. Smith and Elizabeth Gillen Smith, Dr. Smith was born on Oct. 16, 1913, in Dover, N.J. He first arrived at Drew University in 1932 when he entered its College of Liberal Arts after graduating from Morristown,. N.J., High School. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in history summa cum laude in 1936 after serving in student government, achieving an enviable record in baseball and fencing and helping to found Drew's Varsity Club.
He worked at Drew's first news bureau and alumni/ae office and as a history instructor while continuing his study of history and government. He received a master of arts degree in 1939 and a doctorate in 1950, both from Columbia University.
His career at Drew began in 1940 and was interrupted by military service in World War II. Beginning as a private, he served the Army as editor and writer with the Medical Administrative Corps, attaining the rank of major and winning the Bronze Star for work as a medical historian in China.
At Drew where he developed a reputation as a master teacher, he founded the undergraduate political science department, of which he was chairman for 25 years. He also helped found the Institute for Research on Government; three immensely popular off-campus programs - the London Semester, the Washington Semester and the Semester on the United Nations; and the graduate program in political science.
The university's political science department is located at the Smith House, and the Robert G. Smith Scholarship was established for junior political science students who are active in campus life.
He also was active as a coach, leading Drew's tennis team for five successful seasons.
Dr. Smith consulted widely for city and state governments and universities and wrote three books on the use of public authorities by local governments. He was contributing author and editor to numerous publications and wrote and edited portions of the Army's Military Medical Manual.
He received the Drew University Alumni/ae Achievement Award in the Arts in 1960 and an honorary degree upon his retirement in 1977.
Surviving are his wife, Lois Squier Smith, whom he married in December 1942; two sons, Robert L. Smith of New York City and Donald P. Smith of Annandale, Va.; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 17 at Mead Hall at Drew University. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com.
As published on 12/30/2006 in The Capital Newspaper in Annapolis, MD
The son of the late John W. Smith and Elizabeth Gillen Smith, Dr. Smith was born on Oct. 16, 1913, in Dover, N.J. He first arrived at Drew University in 1932 when he entered its College of Liberal Arts after graduating from Morristown,. N.J., High School. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in history summa cum laude in 1936 after serving in student government, achieving an enviable record in baseball and fencing and helping to found Drew's Varsity Club.
He worked at Drew's first news bureau and alumni/ae office and as a history instructor while continuing his study of history and government. He received a master of arts degree in 1939 and a doctorate in 1950, both from Columbia University.
His career at Drew began in 1940 and was interrupted by military service in World War II. Beginning as a private, he served the Army as editor and writer with the Medical Administrative Corps, attaining the rank of major and winning the Bronze Star for work as a medical historian in China.
At Drew where he developed a reputation as a master teacher, he founded the undergraduate political science department, of which he was chairman for 25 years. He also helped found the Institute for Research on Government; three immensely popular off-campus programs - the London Semester, the Washington Semester and the Semester on the United Nations; and the graduate program in political science.
The university's political science department is located at the Smith House, and the Robert G. Smith Scholarship was established for junior political science students who are active in campus life.
He also was active as a coach, leading Drew's tennis team for five successful seasons.
Dr. Smith consulted widely for city and state governments and universities and wrote three books on the use of public authorities by local governments. He was contributing author and editor to numerous publications and wrote and edited portions of the Army's Military Medical Manual.
He received the Drew University Alumni/ae Achievement Award in the Arts in 1960 and an honorary degree upon his retirement in 1977.
Surviving are his wife, Lois Squier Smith, whom he married in December 1942; two sons, Robert L. Smith of New York City and Donald P. Smith of Annandale, Va.; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 17 at Mead Hall at Drew University. Burial will be private. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com.
As published on 12/30/2006 in The Capital Newspaper in Annapolis, MD
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