Harry Paul Smith

1942 - 2017

September 24, 1942 - October 11, 2017
Dr. Harry Paul Smith, longtime San Antonio pediatric dentist, was a man of great integrity in all parts of his life. He was ethical, honest, and very generous. "He was my best friend and my husband" said Becky Smith, his wife of almost 53 years. Dr. Smith passed away on October 11, 2017, at his home after a two-year illness. He was 75.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina to Louise Cobb and Harry Paul Smith, they moved to Dallas shortly after his birth and he became a proud Texan. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge which he gained through extensive reading and travel. He loved history with a passion for learning about the past, particularly World War II.
He graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas and attended Texas Tech for three years before being accepted to the UT School of Dentistry in Houston. It was at Tech that he met Becky Bowers of Abilene, Texas and they married three years later. It was her parents wish that Becky complete college before marrying and they honored that wish and married in 1965. After dental school he began military service as a captain in the dental corp at Randolph AFB.
Upon leaving the Air Force he was in private practice in the Dallas area for six years. During that time he scheduled children on certain days of the week. He loved those days because most of the children were not fearful of dentist visits. After hours of thinking and discussions with Becky, he applied to the UTHSC in San Antonio to the first class of the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program. On his application he wrote that he would like to be a part of creating a generation of children who did not fear going to the dentist. He was accepted and they returned to San Antonio with their son Todd where they have lived since 1976. Since he was experienced in dental practice he was a mentor to younger residents, students, and instructors. He was respectfully referred to as "the answer man".
He and Becky enjoyed a wonderful life together rearing Todd and attending his extracurricular activities, especially tennis. They also traveled to small and larger cities in the US enjoying the culture, history and food of the regions. When Dr. Smith retired they bought an RV and traveled to Texas State Parks and discovered the hundreds of beautiful birds that abound in Texas. They met other "RVers" and for years many of them met throughout Texas at state parks to look for new birds they had not seen.
He is survived by his wife; his son, Todd Paul Smith, MD; his beloved daughter-in-law, Brandy and five grandchildren. They are Ashley, Michelle, Mason Paul Smith and Colby and Mason James Hall. He is also survived by his sister Helen smith.
His son cherishes the memory of his father who taught him the value of hard work, being a supportive father and husband and helping others in need.
His daughter-in-law always said he gave the best hugs. She loved the love he had for this family and the amazing role model he was for her husband.
Our special thanks to Dr. Bradley Kayser, Dr. Ronald Drengler and their staffs. Also thanks to River City Hospice who made his days at home very comfortable and to AA Home Health Care for around that clock care.
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