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David Smith Obituary
David served as the Chief Economist of the House Financial Services Committee for the 111th and 112th United States Congresses, helping to shepherd the passage of the first Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and then the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act in 2010.
Prior to his time with the House Financial Services Committee, David worked in both the public and non-profit sectors, including staff positions with John J. Sweeney at the AFL-CIO, Mayor David Dinkins of New York City, and fellowships at the Century Foundation and at Demos, as well as teaching at the New School and UMass-Boston. Throughout most of the 1980s he worked for Senator Edward Kennedy, first as a member of the Senator's staff and then as Chief Counsel to the Joint Economic Committee.
David "Davy" Smith is survived by his deeply-loved spouse Ranny Cooper of New York City and Richmond, Massachusetts; daughters Jessica Smith Lane (partner Brian Goetz) & Lisa Cook (husband Rich); grandchildren Benton Lane (wife Elizabeth), Peter Lane, Lindsay Cook & Owen Cook. Also, his siblings Joyce Smith (wife Cheryl VanDeVeer) & Andy Smith (wife Jackie), as well as nieces Amanda Gabriel-Landis, Sara Pollock-DeMedeiros & Lizzie Pollock & nephews Evan Smith, Casey Smith and Austin Smith. He was formerly married to Phyllis Freeman of Boston. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary-Ann and Richard Smith, his brother Rick Smith and his former spouse Linda Severance Smith.
The Smith and Cooper families suggest that if you wish to honor his life, memorial gifts may be made to EMILY's List or to Shakespeare & Co. of Lenox, Massachusetts.
A gathering of David's friends and colleagues will be held in the Berkshires later this spring. Condolences and questions can be addressed to: [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Jo Breen Graff
November 28, 2024
Dave, I am so sorry to learn of your passing. You were there in 1986 when I transferred from EMK's Boston office to the DC office to work under your beloved Ranny. The two of you have been inseparable for decades. My thoughts, prayers and love are with your families. May you rest in peace, my friend.
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Matt Tannenbaum
March 8, 2024
Ranny, my deepest condolences to you and all of David's family. I believe we held each other in mutual affection and appreciation. Or was it just you who led him in to the shop after some lunch across the street at The Heritage. He never objected to any of the titles he might have seen on the table. In fact I think he bought a good number of the ones he wanted.
It's never fair that one of you has to be left behind, but I trust that you know how much your presence still means in the world. I hope you'll come by someday soon and we can toast your deeply-loved companion.
Paul Kirk
March 8, 2024
As brilliant as he was unassuming, David was an outstanding public servant whose contributions to national economic discourse and policy live on.
My deepest sympathy to his beloved, Ranny, and to all his surviving loved ones.
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