STEPHEN M. SMITH

SMITH STEPHEN MICHAEL SMITH On January 10, 2015, Stephen Michael Smith left a hole in his family and greater community when he passed away suddenly. A champion of social justice, he, in partnership with Nancy, his wife of 51 years, was dedicated to their shared involvement in city and community politics, child welfare, and education throughout his life. Originally from New York, Steve and Nancy moved to Washington, DC in 1968, where they made their home. With the best curly black hair and a constant twinkle in his eye, Steve made his family his life's work. Together, he and Nancy lived the idea that "it takes a village to raise a child" and believed in expanding the definition of family, through adoption, foster care, and an open-door policy for community. In retirement he dedicated himself to volunteer work, tirelessly supporting the Takoma Education Campus, a preschool-8th grade school, and the historic Takoma Theater. He was a founding member of the Ward 4 Education Alliance. Steve loved woodworking and renovating old homes, believing that anything can be fixed by duct tape, and at 72 years old was still at the tape, and at 72 years old was still at the top of 40 ft. ladders building additions. He loved the outdoors, particularly the redwoods, hiking, and watching the sunrise as hot air balloons took to the skies. All who knew him appreciated his humor (which his children and grandchildren often referred to as "dad jokes"), his patience, his willingness to dive into debates, and his perfect sense of direction. Steve and his grandkids shared a strong bond based on a love of reading and pirate laughs. In 1968, Steve completed his PhD in Nuclear Physics at MIT. After teaching physics at the University of Maryland, he worked in consulting for over 40 years. He was a founding partner at Decision Resources Corp., where he helped design software for the Michigan State Senate and did extensive education policy research, and at Booz Allen Hamilton he participated in the reorganization of the IRS. Steve is survived by his wife, Nancy Smith; his children, Michael Smith, Rachel and Tim Frost, Eden and Raphe Beck, Zachary Smith and Melissa Fair, Susannah Smith and Jamon Franklin, Hannah and David Evans, Yvette Smith, and Lisa Jones; his grandchildren Gabriela, Tillie, Karina, and Ari; and by those he chose to call family: Lisa, Luke, and Ella Cohen, and Tatiana Chavez. He is also survived by his brothers, Howard and Elliot Smith; his cousins, Stuart Feder and Martin and Steven Daner; his brother and sister-in-law, Philip Segal and Joyce Dubensky; and his nephews and niece, Zak Smith, Josh Segal, and Ravi Segal. He was predeceased by his son Andre Jones. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, January 17, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steve's name to either the Takoma EC PTO Stephen M. Smith Memorial Fund, 7010 Piney Branch Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20012, or the Foster and Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC), 6200 Second St. NW, Washington, DC 20011.A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, January 17, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steve's name to either the Takoma EC PTO Stephen M. Smith Memorial Fund, 7010 Piney Branch Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20012, or the Foster and Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC), 6200 Second St. NW, Washington, DC 20011.