Richard H. Smith

Richard Smith (Rick), Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at McDaniel College, passed away on March 30th after a brief illness. Rick taught first at Western Maryland and then McDaniel College for 44 years, retiring in 2015.  He loved teaching above all else and taught courses that ranged from Organic Chemistry to History of Science to Trees on the Hill.  He won the distinguished teaching award and the Maryland Chemist award. During his time at the college, he carried out research with 72 students during his tenure at the college and published over 50 scientific papers.  He also spent his summers performing research at the NCI and Yale University In his spare time, he loved wood working, bass fishing, and conducting historical research.

Born and raised in Hagerstown, MD, Rick attended Washington College and obtained his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Virginia.  After a brief postdoc at Ohio State, he came to Western Maryland College in 1971.  He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marilyn Kroeger Smith, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus.  In addition to his wife, he leaves behind five children, Rich (Vika) and Nathan (Jill), Jason (Mackenzie), Kristina, and Kari (Patrick).  Services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flower arrangements, the family asks that donations be made to AARCH Society of Frederick County or the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society.