Wood Smethurst

Thanks for setting me on the right path, Doc. I´ve had a life full of blessings because of you took me in when, literally, no other school would take me. :)

Dr. Smethurst tutored my son Leif about 30 years ago. While sitting in on a session, he discovered that I, like my son, was also dyslexic. He sure cleared up a lot of mysteries in my life about why I didn't know left from right. Many good memories of this man.
May he rest in peace

The Solis family sends their deepest condolences to Doc's family. He made such a difference in my life during my time at Ben Franklin Academy. The impact he made on young adults and adolescents throughout his teaching career can never be matched.

Dear Frank, William and the BFA community,
I just recently learned of Wood's passing. He is and will be deeply missed. I had the privilege of working with Wood over the years: first at Emory when he was on faculty in the Ed Studies Department, and later when he hired me to help BFA in fundraising, communications and school accreditation. It was an honor to work with Wood and Martha (and the talented BFA faculty & staff) and to see BFA grow and thrive. Wood brought light to the darkness in...

Wood was a terrific, caring teacher. I took one class with him in 1974 and never forgot him. I still remember attending a lovely party for the class in your home one summer evening. God bless you all.

Wood Smethurst was my mentor, back when I was a 21 year old secretary at Emory University. He encouraged me, talked to me about my writing, and even arranged for me to go to a writer's retreat for a month. He was the first person to really make me feel that I was a "real" writer, even though I hadn't gotten much written, and nothing published. Thanks to him, that really changed. He was a wonderful, joyous, fun-loving, humorous, generous, gifted person. May God bless him eternally. Wood,...

An Absolute honor and privilege to have known Doc. Thank You for helping me learn for myself how to be a better Human Being.
BFA class of 1989

He changed many people's educational paths and lives, including mine. I am sad to see that Wood passed away. I am also sad that I was unable to say goodbye to him as I have not seen him in years.

God Bless all that work with Ben Franklin. Many thanks to Doc for helping our family. Also thanks to Martha and Charlie. Our children were blessed to have known the family at Ben Franklin. The Tovey's