Thomas Edison Smith

Thomas Edison Smith (Smitty), born in

Wadena, Minn., a university professor, amazing golfer and coach,

athletic director, health care specialist, and loving father and

husband, died on Dec. 15, 2011, at age 95, surrounded by family and

friends.

He was born June 19, 1916, to the son

of Albert and Naomi (Harris) Smith. He attended a country school in

Wadena and graduated from Wadena High School. He graduated in 1940

from Moorhead State College, where he played football and baseball,

and ran track. He attended the University of Minnesota and received

his master’s degree. He worked for the State of Minnesota Health

Department for three years and returned to Moorhead where he earned

a doctorate degree in health and physical education.

He was preceded in death by his wife of

67 years, Ruth Elizabeth Downey. Smitty served in the Air Force

during World War II in the Pacific Islands. Throughout Smitty’s

life, the sport of golf has been his passion. He holds a golf

record for “shooting his age or under” 3,359 times.

Survivors include four children, Linda

Haugen of Eagan, Minn., Peggy Smith of Seattle, Dan Smith of

Wheaton, Minn., and Becky Smith-Powell of Whitefish. He had six

grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

A celebration of life gathering and

golf tournament will be scheduled next summer in Minnesota. In Lieu

of flowers, donations can be made to the Thomas and Ruth Smith

Scholarship Fund at the Alumni Foundation, University of Moorhead,

1104 7th Ave. South, Moorhead, MN. 56563.