David M. Smith M.D.

Dr. David M. Smith, of Princeton, New Jersey passed away on December 31, 2022. Born at home in Fort Valley, Georgia on January 4, 1940, Dr. Smith was predeceased by: his mother, Rubye Crews Smith; his father, James Hoke Smith; and his younger brother, Jere Crews Smith. Dr. Smith is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marjorie Lang Smith; his daughters, Cindy Smith Wilson and her husband Chip Wilson; Kathy Smith; and Amy Smith Rogers and her husband Cal Rogers; and his two nephews, who he came to consider his own sons, Jere Crews Smith, Jr. and Brian David Smith and their families. He was proud of and loved all his grandchildren: Sam and Nick Wilson, Tess Turbeville, and Calvin and David "Story" Rogers. He will be missed by his extended family members, friends, and colleagues in both Pocono Lake Preserve and the Princeton community.
David attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and received his medical doctorate from the Emory University Medical School in 1965. From 1965 to 1967, he completed his general surgery residency at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and was then commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1969. He proudly served his country as a battleship surgeon, treating wounded U.S. Marines in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969, and was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. He is featured as the "Knife Man" in the 2004 book "Patriots" by Christian G. Appy.
Upon his return from Vietnam, Dr. David Smith completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the New York Orthopaedic Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City from 1969 to 1972. After completing his residency and receiving his board certification, Dr. Smith, Marge and their young family moved to Princeton, New Jersey. There he co-founded Princeton Orthopaedic Associates in 1974, and was later an instrumental leader in the design and establishment of Sports Medicine of Princeton and the Neck and Back Institute of Princeton. He practiced orthopaedic surgery in Princeton until his retirement from treating patients in 2004. In "retirement", he continued to help others and enjoyed testifying as a medical expert witness in many legal cases until 2016. He defended many surgeons but never failed when asked to support a patient when he felt the standard of care had been violated.
In addition to being a consummate doctor with a wonderful bedside manner, David was accomplished in many other arenas. He was a skillful pilot with certificates in multi-engine, commercial and instrument ratings. He was an active business partner (or as he liked to say, "part-time farmer') in the Indian River citrus industry down in Florida. He owned grapefruit and orange groves and was part owner in a successful packing house until this industry was hit by hurricanes and canker. In his "downtime," David was a runner, bee keeper, family photographer, tennis player, skier, fly fisherman, outdoorsman, avid reader, writer, football fan, music lover, angel investor, and entrepreneur.
David was a man who could light up the room with his humor, his booming voice and laugh, and his storytelling. He was respected, loved and a mentor to many. David made a positive difference in countless people's lives. But, most importantly, he was a loving husband; a devoted father, grandfather & uncle; and an exceptional friend. "Dr. Dave" will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family would like people to contribute to a scholarship or memorial fund of their choice in his honor and/or simply step outside to watch a sunset and pause with awe, gratitude and splendor.
A celebration of his life will be held in late spring in Princeton and a Quaker-type service will be held in the summer in the Poconos.