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Wesley Smith Obituary
Dr. Wesley Smith Allentown and Easton, PA Naples, FL
Dr. Wesley Smith, formerly of Allentown and Easton, PA passed away in Naples, FL on January 2nd, 2010 at the age of 81.
Dr. Smith had a long, distinguished career at Lehigh University, where he was a professor of physics from 1958 to 2001 and an avid participant in the University's academic life and affairs.
Dr. Smith received his BSc and MSc in physics from Lehigh University in 1951 and 1953, respectively. He went on to earn his PhD in physics from Princeton University in 1957. Following work with Lockheed's propulsion group in Palo Alto, CA, Dr. Smith joined Lehigh's faculty and spent the next 43 years sharing his enthusiasm for physics with many generations of Lehigh graduates.
Dr. Smith specialized in shock waves, high speed mass transfer and elastic and inelastic waves in metals. He conducted research on behalf of the Office of Naval Research and other organizations, was awarded the Alfred Noble Robinson Award for outstanding service to Lehigh University, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, The Society of Sigma Xi and numerous other scientific and academic organizations.
Dr. Smith had a lifelong love of the arts, teaching and the sciences. His interest in all continued unabated after his retirement, and he gave generously of his time to tutor local students in Naples.
Dr. Smith is survived by his wife, Geraldine Smith of Naples, FL; his sons, Lawrence, Stuart and Graham of Glenview, IL, Portland, OR, and Annapolis, MD; respectively, his daughters, Sandra Collins of Kingstowne, VA, Jessica Geraghty and Victoria Sweet of Naples, FL; and his eight grandchildren.
A private celebration of Dr. Smith's life will be held in Naples, FL on Sunday, January 17th.
Arrangments entrusted to The Beachwood Society beachwoodsociety.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wesley Smith
1 Entry
Lisa Seibel
January 10, 2010
Neal and the entire Smith Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. I have thought of you and your family many times over the past 25 years and have many wonderful memories. You have a great family! May your memories bring you comfort.
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