Ronald Smith

It is with sadness that the family of Ronald Delaine Smith, M.D. announces his passing on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 87 years of age in Fresno. Born in Freeport, IL on March 11, 1931 to Russell and Lois (Sargent) Smith, Ronald received his Masters of Public Health and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from the University of Iowa, and came out west with wife Nancy (Havighurst) in 1957 for his physician's residency program at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA. Ronald spent his long life in active service to God and to all people who crossed his path. In his professional career, Ron chose family and general practice with the belief that physicians can better serve their patients through long term relationships, and often served multiple family generations of patients, from newborns to grandparents. Working with the Fresno-Madera Medical Society in the early 1970's, Ron helped pioneer the development of the Family Practice program at Valley Medical Center. He joined the Fresno Medical Group in 1972 and created its Family Practice department. Ron served on the staff at St. Agnes Hospital, Valley Children's Hospital, and Fresno Community Hospital, serving as President of Staff at that facility in 1985. Ron belonged to many professional and community service organizations, including Fresno-Madera Medical Society by which he was recognized in 1994 for extraordinary service and dedication to patients; The California Academy of Family Physicians, which chose him the California Family Practice Physician of the Year in 1987; and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He worked ten years as clinician for Southern Pacific employees. He helped bring Goodwill Industries to Fresno. He donated his services to the Poverello House, Fresno Rescue Mission, and the Five Points Medical Clinic. He was a member of the Sierra Toastmasters Club. He was matched with a Little Brother Eric Manzone thru the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Club, maintaining their relationship for the rest of Ron's life. Ron's strong faith in God's love led him to accept all persons for where they were in their lives without judgment. Ron served and cared for people through the United Methodist church on short medical mission trips to Bolivia, Nepal, and Paraguay. Over the years, Ron and Nancy opened their home to college students, foreign exchange students, pregnant single women, and foster children. Ron worked with young people through leadership of high school and college age groups at his Grace United Church, establishing relationships that have lasted for decades. "Dr. Ron" is best remembered for his hugs, his gentle humor, and his loving acceptance of people, no matter their circumstances. Ron is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy (Havighurst), his children Connie Alfaro, Laura (Darren Williams), Judy (Bryan Hougland), Andy (Dr. Karen Hansen-Smith), and Todd Smith (Julie Ford-Smith), and thirteen grandchildren, Ryan, Jordan (Alfaro); Katelin, Madeline, Kim, Alissa, Corrie (Williams); Quinn, Leif (Hougland), Emma, Tessa (Hansen-Smith); Drew, Sofia (Ford-Smith). He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Oliver, his son-in-law Jon Alfaro and several brothers-and-sisters-in-law. His family is very grateful to the members of his longtime medical office staff who became like family to them, and thanks them for their loyalty and devotion to Dr. Ron and their patients. A Celebration of Dr. Ron's life will be held on February 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Clovis Memorial United Methodist Church, 1726 Pollasky Ave, Clovis CA. Memorial donations may be made to Clovis United Methodist Church designated "Dr. Ronald Smith Memorial". (These donations will go to United Methodist Committee on Relief.)