Chester Smolski Obituary

SMOLSKI, CHESTER, 81, died Sunday, June 22. He was the husband of Theresa, to whom he had been married for 59 years.

He had been Professor of Urban Studies at Rhode Island College for 41 years prior to his retirement in 1994.

Professor Smolski served as a Marine during WWII, where he fought in the battle of Okinawa and was awarded a Purple Heart.

He was awarded a National Science Foundation grant to study at the London School of Economics, and traveled throughout Europe with his wife and four children for more than a year on two separate occasions. An acknowledged expert on urban affairs, he was a frequent guest columnist for The Providence Journal and Providence Business News, as well as a contributor to numerous academic publications.

He served on several public and private corporate and non-profit boards, commissions and advisory committees. During Professor Smolski's long career at Rhode Island College, he co-developed and coordinated the Rhode Island Geographic Education Alliance, a project of the National Geographic Society. In his retirement, he worked as a volunteer at Rhode Island Free Clinic.

Professor Smolski is survived by his wife Theresa, their four children: Lisa Smolski of Cranston, RI, Paula Jones of South Orange, NJ, Rena Spangler, also of South Orange, Michael Smolski of Portland, OR, and five grandchildren: Katie, Sam, and Will Spangler of South Orange, NJ, and Celia and Laura Jones of London, England. Above all, he was a caring and committed father and a natural teacher who loved travel and adventure and shared that love with his family and all who knew him.

Visiting hours will be 5-8pm on Wednesday at the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home, 615 Main St., Warren. There will be a brief service at the Veteran's Cemetery in Exeter on Thursday at 11am. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations in his memory be made to Rhode Island Free Clinic, 655 Broad St., Providence, RI 02907.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal on Jun. 24, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Chester Smolski

10 Entries

Erin Mulligan

July 6, 2008

There are few people in our lives that touch us profoundly, and in turn change our lives. Professor Smolski was this to me. My friend and mentor, I will miss you.

Michael Smith

June 26, 2008

I had the privilege of taking one of Professor Smolski's classes during my very first semester at Rhode Island College back in the fall of 1974. He was an outstanding teacher. I will always remember his passion for the subject matter -- almost evangelical in his approach. Life brought me back to RIC in 1995 in the role of Assistant to President Nazarian, where I had the privilege to get to know Chet as Professor Emeritus, as he had shortly before retired from active teaching. Most recently, I had the opportunity to serve on the College's Oral History Committee, and Chet was one of the first people we interviewed on the topic of the College's move to Mt. Pleasant. The book containing excerpts from his interview was published on June 20. As I read those passages, I can hear the genuine warmth of his voice in every word. My deepest condolences to Theresa and to all the members of his wonderful family.

Matthew Hodge

June 25, 2008

Chet was a mentor and an inspiration. I am grateful to him for enriching my career as a teacher, and for giving me opportunities to learn about the world outside my door, and on the other side of the planet. A model for us all to follow.

MBF

June 24, 2008

Thank you very much for your service to this country.

David Eng-Wong

June 24, 2008

We will miss him everytime we come to RI. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Teresa.

Galina, Anatole, Sasha Forostenko

June 24, 2008

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at this time.

Lyn Malone

June 24, 2008

Chet was one of geography education's greatest champions. Through his work as a founding coordinator of the RI Geography Education Alliance, he touched the lives of teachers and students across the state. His legacy is the love of geography that those teachers and students will continue to foster in others.

Dan Andrews

June 24, 2008

I am saddened to read of the passing of Professor Smolski. He was my favorite teacher and a role model for me back in the 1950's at RICE. It was a pleasure to run into him over the years. He always remembered me and we had a good time reliving "the old days" at the old campus. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Bill Aho

June 24, 2008

I will long remember and miss my good buddy and RIC colleague Chet.
Especially our annual lunches at Angelo's and his home at North Farm. My deepest sympathy to Theresa and his entire family.
He was truly one of the Greatest Generation.

The Staff of Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home

June 24, 2008

Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results