Douglas C. Smith

Dr. Douglas C. Smith passed away peacefully on June 25, 2019 at his home in Falling Waters, WV. He was 75.

He was born in New York City on September 9, 1943 to the late Edward T. Smith, Jr. of Ridgewood, New Jersey and Jane Anderson Engel of St. Michaels, Maryland. Dr. Smith received a B.A. in History and B.S.Ed. from the University of Tampa, a M.A. in European History from the University of North Carolina, a M.A. in Political Science from West Virginia University, a Ph.D. in American History from WVU, an Ed.S. postdoctoral degree from WVU, a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Columbia University, and Honorary Doctorates in Letters from John Dewey University and Glenville State College. Dr. Smith enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a professor and administrator at WVU and Shepherd University; he was an accomplished scholar, a life-long learner, and prolific author of over 50 books and academic articles on comparative education, history, and politics. Dr. Smith was brilliant and kind, he had a witty and sarcastic sense of humor, a sharp mind, and enjoyed reciting historical facts and obscure movie details from memory. During his free time, he enjoyed traveling, biking, fishing, painting, reading, spending time with his family, and spending time on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Dr. Smith traveled extensively and spent time with pirates in Southeast Asia, lived with the Yami people on Lanyu Island, and cruised the fjords in Norway. He was a loving father, devoted son, loyal friend, and beloved professor and colleague. He lived a happy, fulfilling life that was full of love and he touched many lives during his lifetime.

Smith is survived by his two children, Cathay Y. N. Smith, J.D. (professor at the University of Montana School of Law) and Michael D.C. Smith, M.D.-candidate (second-year medical student at Marshall University School of Medicine), his granddaughter Sage, and his partner Suzannah L. Smith.

Services were private.

In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts may be made to the Shepherd University Foundation to support the University’s graduate program at shepherduniversityfoundation.org/donate/.