Ross W. Smith

Ross was one of my close friends in the 549th Engr. Base Survey Co. from the summer of 1951 to late 1952. I too went on with more education after our service, with a PhD in Geology at Cal Tech in 1958. I remember Ross fondly. I now am retired in Mountain View, CA

I haven't seen Ross since were served in the same unit in the Army Engineers. He was a one of a small group of close friends then. It is interesting that we went on to obtain similar educations. I got an MS and PhD in Geology from Cal Tech. while Ross went on to MIT and Stanford.

Ross was one of the great professors I ever met. Under his direction, I got a degree of MS in Metallurgical Engineering
from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 1967. He asked me to join his research group at the Mackay School of Mines, U of Nevada-Reno 1970 after my graduation of University of Utah. He used to run at least 10 miles a day at that time.
He was a kind and friendly person I ever met. I miss him and his family members as well, Catherine, Couteny, and Ann.

Your former students, Wendy, Hsiaowan lee and George, Zhaoguang Yang miss you very much!
Since we left Reno in 1990, we had only a few chances to see you. In 2003, your Singapore/India trip to see us was canceled due to SARS. In 2004, we traveled from Singapore to visit you at your residence, but you were on vacation. We always believed we would have plenty of times to meet again and never expected the last time we’d see you was when we left the U.S. in 1998. We had already planned to...

In 1969 I started my academic career, joining the Mackay School of Mines when Ross was the chair of the department I joined. A young, inexperienced professor could not have had a better chair or mentor than Ross Smith. I have always admired Ross' patience and mentoring skills he had with me. He also took pride in helping me develop an appreciation for the West and its opportunities for outdoor recreation.I look back at my quarter of a century in Reno and I feel enriched by knowing and...

Dear Ross, we were very good friends and shared many nice moments whenever you were in Brazil. We both liked to go to the same park, sometimes just walking my dog, sometimes running. You were such a good company in our Sunday brunches at my Mom´s home and I believe that my family was also your family in Brazil. I am very happy and proud of how much you always enjoyed our country and our people. Travelling abroad is a bridge for understanding and you sure were a good ambassador that remained...

Ross, you & I were good friends & great competitors. I never got to know you very well as a friend, but I got to know you very well as a guy in my age group that was 2nd to no one. We were always within feet at the finish line, & that will always be my memory of you. I'll miss you very much. Jim O'Neil

Editing NorCal Running Review for 10+years, I always kept track of the top masters runners, knowing I would be there in time. I was always impressed by Ross's stellar performances, but they are even more meaningful to me now that I am "old"...time spares no one! Ross was a true leader of masters running in his time, and his greatness will always be admired. We will miss you guy!

When I first started racing in Northern California I remembered seeing Ross's name high in the standings in his age group. Even though we were nearly 20 years apart, we were of similar body type so he gave me inspiration to keep at it.
Ross will surely be missed, but he will always be in our hearts.