Dwight L. Smith

News Death Notice

SMITH, Dwight L. passed away May 6, 2010 at Woodland Country Manor. He was born April 11, 1918, in West Elkton, OH, a son of Rev. Clarence and Mary Smith. He held a B.A. degree from Indiana Central College, an M.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University, and an Honorary Litt.D. from the University of Indianapolis. In W.W.II he served in the US Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. Dwight married Jane DeLeon in 1955. He joined the history faculty at Ohio State University in 1949 and at Miami University in 1953, where he taught until retirement in 1984. He also held visiting professorships at Columbia University and Indiana University, and summer appointments at Centre College of Kentucky, Colorado College, University of New Mexico, University of British Columbia and University of Alberta. For eleven summers he was editorial consultant to the American Bibliographical Center in Santa Barbara, California and London, England. His teaching and research interests were frontier and western American and Canadian history and bibliographic studies. He received several research appointments, including from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Province to Quebec. He was instrumental in the establishment of Miami University's Luxembourg Center and the Institute of Environmental Sciences. Dwight was author or co-author of numerous books, essays, articles and was active in professional societies. He was an Elder of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, a president of the Friends of the Miami University Libraries and a president of the Oxford Museum Association. Family and friends fondly recall Dwight' s sharp wit, long stride and accomplished piano playing, especially hymns that reflected his great love for God. He was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his parents and brother Donald. Dwight is survived by his son Greg, daughter-in-law Becki and granddaughters Anna Marie and Katy Jane, Chillicothe, OH; brother Dale (Jean) of Miamisburg, OH; sister-in-law Patti of Monroe, OH; and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 11, 2010 from 9:30 AM to 11 AM at the Oxford Presbyterian Church 101 North Main St., Oxford, OH 45056. Funeral services will be at 11 AM at the church and burial at Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Oxford Presbyterian Church or the McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital, 110 Poplar St., Oxford, OH 45056. Smith & Ogle Funeral Home, Oxford is assisting the family.