David Coles Smith

David Smith age 92 of Cresco, IA, passed away on March 10, 2025, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, IA.
No services at this time.
David Coles Smith was born on June 10, 1932, in LaPorte, Indiana. David was the son of Earl Grant Smith and Winifred Burton Smith. He resided with his parents and spent most of his formative years in Waterloo, Iowa. David graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1950.
Betty Irene Rule and David were joined in marriage at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Waterloo on March 15, 1953. On January 11, 1954, Betty gave birth to their daughter Pauline. In June of that year, David completed the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Iowa State Teachers College with majors in mathematics and science. During his sophomore year he lettered in tennis.
Following graduation, the family moved to Cresco where David taught junior high school mathematics and science and served as principal from 1954 to 1956. On January 25, 1956, their son, Earl, was born in Cresco. In the summer of 1956, the family moved to Decorah, Iowa. From 1956 through 1960 the family resided in Decorah where David served first as principal of the junior high school and later as Director of Elementary Education. In 1958 David received the Master of Arts Degree in Education from Iowa State Teachers College with a major in elementary school administration and supervision.
In 1960 the family moved to Illinois where David served as principal of Crow Island School in Winnetka, Illinois. The Winnetka school district was highly regarded for its innovative practices and Crow Island School was selected as "the most significant school building built in the last fifty years" by the American Architectural Association. In 1966 David received a Ph. D. degree in school administration from Northwestern University.
In the summer of 1966, the family moved to East Lansing, Michigan where David accepted a position as an Assistant Professor in the College of Education in the Department of School Administration and Higher Education. In 1969 he was tenured and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. During that time he also served as the first Executive Assistant of the Michigan Association of Elementary Principals
In 1970 the family moved to DeKalb, Illinois, where David accepted the position of Associate Dean in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. He held that position for two years and in 1972 the family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where David held the position of Professor of Educational Administration and Area Coordinator of School Service Personnel in the College of Education at the University of Arkansas. It was during this time that he was a member of the Professional Archers Association and served as the Director of the International School of Archery. During this time, he also coordinated a master's degree program for the College of Education in Athens, Greece.
In 1976 the family moved to Missoula, Montana, where David held the position of Dean of the School of Education and Professor of Education at the University of Montana.
Then in 1978, once again the family moved; this time to Gainesville, Florida, where David became the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Florida. It was a position that he held for sixteen years. During that time David was active in a variety of leadership positions. He chaired the Education Standards Commission for the State of Florida for five years and was recognized by the State Board of Education for his contributions to education in the state. He served two terms as the president of the Florida Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. He was the president of the National Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. He received the Edward C Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education. He was awarded the Finis E. Engleman Award for his contributions to international education by the Near East South Asia Association of International Education. He served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Advancement of International Education. While in Gainesville, David was active in St. Joseph's Episcopal Church.
During the course of his career, David traveled to every one of the fifty states and at least thirty-one countries, primarily in the Near East, South America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. David also published over forty articles and half a dozen chapters of books and monographs on a variety of subjects. In addition, he gave over 113 addresses at state, regional, national or international meetings. He had great affection and high regard for the many friends and colleagues he met and worked with here in the United States and around the world
In 2000 David and Betty returned to Decorah for their retirement years. David enjoyed the outdoors and was especially fond of trout fishing. He was a member of the Decorah Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of Iowa Driftless, a chapter of Trout Unlimited. The church was an important aspect of his life. He was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church
But his deepest love was for the members of his family. His deepest passion was for his wife Betty, whom he loved deeply. He looked forward to being reunited with her. He loved his children Pauline and Earl. He was extraordinarily close to his brother, Earl, and his sisters Diane and Louise.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty who passed away on December 4, 2009, and his son Earl who passed away on January 1, 1990.
He is survived by his daughter Pauline who resides in Trenton, Florida,
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Howard County Hospice.