William Raymond Smith Ph.D.

SMITH – William Raymond, Ph.D., 76, of Dillsburg, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at home. He was born June 5, 1932, in Bowling Green, Ky., son of William Raymond and Rosevelta Biggerstaff Smith. He was professor emeritus of history and philosophy, University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, where he taught for 27 years. He was an intellectual historian and received a B.A., M.A. in English literature and a Ph.D. in history of culture from the University of Chicago. He taught classes at Pennsylvania State University, Haverford College, Scripps College, Shimer College and Reed College. He was a Fulbright professor at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands. He published over 100 articles and two books, “History as Argument” and “The Rhetoric of American Politics.” He served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator, stationed in Germany, 1955-1957. He was an accomplished horseman and licensed thoroughbred trainer and breeder and a steeplechase jockey. He rode the winner of the 1983 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup and trained the 1985 winner of the Middleburg Hunt Cup and Genesee Valley Hunt Cup. He bred and trained flat track horses as well. He was an honorary member of the hunt staff for the Rolling Rock Hunt for seven seasons. He was a member of the Hidden Meadows Beagles Club, Gettysburg. He is survived by two daughters, Dana Henning, and husband, Mark, Virginia Beach, Va., and Lauren Imgrund, and husband, David, Carlisle, Pa.; his grandchildren, Alexander, Gwyneth, Zachary and Elizabeth Henning; and sister, Velta Rose Smith, Smith’s Grove, Ky. Relatives and friends are invited for a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at his home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Masters of Foxhounds Educational Foundation, C. Martin Wood, MFH, III, Chairman, P.O. Box 363, Millwood, Va. 22646, or The American Farmland Trust, 1200 18th St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20036. An online guest book can be signed at www.cocklinfuneralhome.com.