Dr. Edwin Steven Smith

Dr. E. (Edwin) Steven Smith, a former dean of the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and founder and director of the Crackdown on Cancer Initiative for the State of Nevada, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, in Las Vegas of interstitial fibrosis of the lungs, which he had for over three years. He was 66. Steven was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Ogden, Utah, to the late Eldredge Smith and Elaine Williams. He married Kaye Waldron in 1963, in Salt Lake City, then graduated from the first class of Weber State College in 1965. He received his degree from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago in 1970. Steven taught as a professor of Oral Diagnosis/Oral Medicine at the dental school and had an active practice in Chicago for 27 years. In 1998, he was asked by Nevada State Sen. Raymond D. Rawson to participate in the development of the 55th dental school in the United States. In August 1999, Steven was appointed Acting Dean of the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dentistry and worked with university, state legislature and national government officials to get the school built. He saw his dream fulfilled when, on Sept. 1, 2002, the first class of 75 dental students entered the school. On May 13, 2006, Steven proudly looked on as this same class graduated. Besides being a dedicated and loved dental educator for more than 36 years, Steven was a renowned forensic dentist and was instrumental in the identification of victims of major U.S. plane crashes and many other forensic chores since 1978. For more than six years, he worked with the Clark County Coroner's Office as the chief forensic odontologist. Steven was an active and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission in the East Central States and held positions of leadership in the church throughout his life. Steven had a great knowledge of and love for the scriptures, which he shared with many by word and example. Despite his ailing health over the past six months, Steven maintained his characteristic optimism, imparting counsel to his children and making his grandchildren smile. One of his last activities was to record the day's events, as he had done faithfully for the past 25 years, in his journal. He is survived by Kaye, his beloved wife of 43 years; children, Curtis (Laura) Smith, Jenny (John) Johnson, Maryam (Fred) Chaney, Andrew (Shauna) Smith, and Aaron (Courtney) Smith; 14 grandchildren; and his dear mother, Elaine. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his only sibling, Dennis E. Smith, in 2005. Public visitation in Las Vegas will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the LDS chapel, Hollywood Boulevard and Stewart. Flowers may be sent to Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the LDS Highland Third Ward Chapel, 5870 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah. Please call (702) 528-4860 for detailed directions to the church. A viewing will be held prior to services from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the church. Flowers may be sent to Wing Mortuary. Interment will be held in Highland City Cemetery.