Noel Wilson Smith

1933 - 2022

Noel Wilson Smith, 88, of Sarasota, Florida, died on Aug. 14, 2022. He was born Nov. 2, 1933 in Marion, Indiana to Anthony Smith and Mary (Wilson) Smith. He graduated from Indiana University in 1955, and completed graduate studies at the University of Colorado (M.A. 1958) and Indiana University (Ph.D. 1962). Noel was Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Plattsburgh for 32 years, retiring in 1995. He continued his academic research in retirement as Professor Emeritus at SUNY, Courtesy Professor at The University of Florida, and Fellow in the American Psychological Association. He authored multiple books including 'Current Systems in Psychology: Theory, Research, and Applications' and 'An Analysis of Ice Age Art: Its Psychology and Belief System'; he co-authored with J.R. Kantor 'The Science of Psychology: An Interbehavioral Survey'; and he published numerous journal articles on prehistorical, historical, and interbehavioral psychology.

Noel was interested in almost everything about the world and its people, with particular interests in anthropology, pre-history, ancient Greece, and the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. He loved to travel and explore the world, especially to vineyard regions where a fine red wine could be found. He shared his adventures and enthusiasm with his family during many travels together through Greece and Europe, and while touring Scotland and Norway by camper-van during a year as visiting professor at Hull College in England. In retirement Noel traveled globally, and twice visited Lithuania to research and document the family history. Noel enjoyed skiing and hiking in the Rockies and Adirondacks in his younger days, and kayaking, wildlife viewing, and bicycling after moving to Florida in retirement. He had a lifelong interest in photography, with a vast collection of photographs from black-and-white to Kodachrome to digital. In 1999 Noel founded the Humanists of Sarasota Bay (Husbay) where he made many friends, serving as its president until 2008.

Noel was predeceased by his parents and brother Paul Smith, and is survived by his wife Ursula Levy, sons Thor Smith of Concord, NH and Lance Smith (Connie Heye) of W. Hartford, CT, grandchildren Karina Heye-Smith of Ann Arbor, MI and Seth Heye-Smith of Providence, RI, nephews Kevin Smith of Chicago, IL and Rodney Smith of Dallas, TX, and first wife Marilyn (Coleman) Smith of Plattsburgh, NY. A memorial service is planned for a future date. Memorial donations may be made to the Humanists of Sarasota Bay, Inc. (husbay.org).