Thomas Edison Smith
Thomas Edison Smith (Smitty), born in
Wadena, Minn., a university professor, amazing golfer and coach,
athletic director, health care specialist, and loving father and
husband, died on Dec. 15, 2011, at age 95, surrounded by family and
friends.
He was born June 19, 1916, to the son
of Albert and Naomi (Harris) Smith. He attended a country school in
Wadena and graduated from Wadena High School. He graduated in 1940
from Moorhead State College, where he played football and baseball,
and ran track. He attended the University of Minnesota and received
his master’s degree. He worked for the State of Minnesota Health
Department for three years and returned to Moorhead where he earned
a doctorate degree in health and physical education.
He was preceded in death by his wife of
67 years, Ruth Elizabeth Downey. Smitty served in the Air Force
during World War II in the Pacific Islands. Throughout Smitty’s
life, the sport of golf has been his passion. He holds a golf
record for “shooting his age or under” 3,359 times.
Survivors include four children, Linda
Haugen of Eagan, Minn., Peggy Smith of Seattle, Dan Smith of
Wheaton, Minn., and Becky Smith-Powell of Whitefish. He had six
grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
A celebration of life gathering and
golf tournament will be scheduled next summer in Minnesota. In Lieu
of flowers, donations can be made to the Thomas and Ruth Smith
Scholarship Fund at the Alumni Foundation, University of Moorhead,
1104 7th Ave. South, Moorhead, MN. 56563.