Dr. John Arthur Smith

Dr. John Arthur Smith

known to most as Jack, passed away on March 21, 2015, surrounded by his family. Jack was born on August 25, 1937 in Milford, Ohio, the third child of John Douglas Smith and Anna Malvena Campbell Smith. Jack grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1955

He graduated with honors from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1964 and became the first in the history of the University of Cincinnati's

medical school to graduate Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor society of medicine and science, founded in 1902. Jack was the first African American nationally to receive this honor and remained involved with the society until his death. Jack completed his

rotating internship at the University of Iowa, then returned to the University of Cincinnati General Hospital to complete his residency in Radiology.  In 1968, Jack was drafted and sent to serve at the US Air Force Hospital in Ankara, Turkey as chief of radiology for the Middle East, the only radiology unit between

Vietnam and Wiesbaden, Germany during the Vietnam War. After completing his military tour, Jack took a fellowship in pediatrics at the Kinderspital in Basel,

Switzerland.  Upon his return to the United States, Jack and his family moved to Lynbrook, Long Island while he starting his academic career at Downstate Medical Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. In 1972, Jack and his family transferred to Indianapolis, where he served as pediatric radiologist at Riley Children's Hospital, Wishard and the VA and professor of radiology at Indiana University Medical School until his retirement. He became assistant professor in 1972, associate professor in 1976 and professor in 1983. In 1996, he became director of pediatric radiology at Riley. During his tenure at Riley/IU, Jack completed two sabbaticals: at Boston Children's Hospital in 1979 and in 1991 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.  Jack was very active in service and leadership. He held many memberships in prominent

radiological societies. He also held several significant leadership roles at the university, including assistant to the dean, director of minority affairs, member of the Institutional Review Board, chairman search committee and many positions at Riley. He was interested in community service geared towards minorities and children, serving on the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation Board, participating in the Indiana Black Expo, serving

as president of the National Junior Tennis League of Indianapolis and serving on the board of directors of the Indianapolis Boys Club.  Jack lived, traveled and lectured all over the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters: Patricia Smith and Annis Jane Smith Christmas. Jack is survived by his wife, Donna Anderson; four daughters: Ann Smith (William Green), Janis Smith-Gomez (Todd Gomez), Gwen Smith (Haim Steinbach) and Jill Moniz;  five grandchildren: Anna Gomez, River Smith-Steimback, Jonathan, Jackson, and Julian Moniz.  His presence will be missed by so many.  Donations may be made to: Tatum's Bags of Fun on their website: http://tatumsbagsoffun.com or by mail: P.O. Box 90290 Indianapolis, IN 46290 and Riley Hospital.  In Memory of Dr. John Arthur Smith

A Celebration of Jack's life will take place Sunday, June 7 at 2 pm at the Riley Children's Outpatient Center at Riley Children's Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Drive in Indpls.