Gerald-Smith-Obituary

Gerald R. Smith

Chelsea, Michigan

Mar 20, 1935 – Sep 20, 2022 (Age 87)

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BORN
March 20, 1935
DIED
September 20, 2022
AGE
87
LOCATION
Chelsea, Michigan

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Smith, Gerald R. Of Chelsea, Michigan age 87, died peacefully at home on Sandhill Farm, Chelsea, September 20, 2022, under the loving attendance of his wife, Catherine Badgley, his son, Keith Smith, and his sister-in-law Barbara Badgley. Jerry was born March 20, 1935 in Los Angeles and was raised...

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I just saw the obituary today. I'm so sorry I didn't know earlier. Catherine and all family members, I send my condolences. He touched for good the lives of so many. I can't even express my sadness at his passing. May you be comforted (still). Love, Cheryl Zello

Gerald R. Smith served as my Ph.D. advisor during my tenure at the Univ. Michigan Museum of Paleontology during the late 1980's, as a collaborator, plainspoken critic and mentor throughout my career, and as a good friend. He tutored me in fish osteology, systematics and biogeography, and placed these in the context of the evolving landscape of the western U. S. Cordillera over the past 30 million years. Wow! I will be eternally grateful for his inspiring acumen and friendship. One...

Trudi and I were so sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. He was a very important part of both of our lives - he was a wonderful friend and mentor to us both. I will never forget the times Jerry would excitedly share some interesting science (icthyology, paleontology, or geology depending on the occasion) or a useful life lesson as we did field work in Paraguay or SE Idaho or spoke at their home in Ann Arbor. Living at Jerry's home as an undergraduate really helped me adjust to life in the US...

So sorry Catherine. Roxanne and I only knew Jerry a very short time. But in that time we consistently commented what a kind man he was. And funny too. His calm manner was a nice reassurance to us and my brother was more than lucky to have Jerry and you in his life.

Being a colleague and coauthor with Jerry was the pinnacle of my paleontology career. I am forever grateful for his inspiration, and will always remember his deep generosity and academic professionalism.

Just a truly nice man. I worked on his cars a few years ago. It was always a pleasure to see him.