Edwin Smith

Edwin Burnell Smith passed away on Saturday January 28th, 2017. Edwin was the third child of Sanford A. Smith and Zephalena Davis Smith and he was born in Wellington, Kansas, on December 1, 1936. Edwin attended rural grade school near Halstead, Kansas with Florence Wolf of Bentley and Pearl Hansen of Halstead serving as Teachers. He graduated from Halstead High School, Halstead, Kansas, in 1954. Edwin attended Hutchinson Junior College for one semester before enlisting in the Army. He completed three years in the Army with 27 months service in Germany. In January, 1958, Edwin returned from Germany and enrolled at the University of Kansas, remaining there until 1965 where he was awarded a PhD degree in Botany. During the last two years of study Edwin was named a National Science Foundation Scholar. Following a year as an assistant professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey he accepted a position at the University of Arkansas. During his tenure at the University of Arkansas Edwin published more than 100 scientific papers including two volumes entitle: An Atlas and Annotated List of the vascular Plants of Arkansas and in 1994 a 597-page book entitled: Keys to the vascular Plants of Arkansas. This book is still being used today by scientists and students alike to identify Arkansas flora. To assist with his scientific studies Smith was the recipient of several National Science Foundation grants as well as grants from several Arkansas organizations. Edwin served on thesis committees of masters level students, and he served on PhD dissertation committees for doctoral level students in both the college of Arts and Sciences, and the college of Agricultural studies. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Edwin was also the curator of the University of Arkansas Herbarium. Under his leadership the Herbarium grew by nearly 50,000 specimens. Many he collected himself; others, which he annotated and filed, were provided by members of the Arkansas Native Plant Society and other individuals interested in the Flora of Arkansas. In 1994, Edwin was awarded the Dwight Moore award for excellence in Botanical research by the Arkansas Native Plant Society. Edwin attained the rank of full professor in 1974, and he completed a three-year term as Chairman of the Department of Botany and Bacteriology. Smith retired from the UofA in 1998 after 32 years of service and he was awarded professor emeritus status upon his retirement. Edwin married the former Ellen Holmes of Boston, Massachusetts, on June 22 1958 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Saugus, Massachusetts and they had three children, Stephen Jay, Sharon Alice, and Frank Sanford, IV. Edwin and Ellen were married for nearly 58 years. Smith is survived by his three children: Stephen of Houston, Texas, Sharon Mitchell and her husband Don of Rogers, Arkansas, and Frank Sanford, IV and his wife Sally of Fort Collins, Colorado, six grandchildren: Tiffany Born, Maggie Bogan, Rebecca Stage, Zachary Smith, Nathan Smith, Jeremiah Mitchell, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Wilbur and his wife, Diane of Overland Park, Kansas, a brother, Frank and his wife Gwenda of Plano Texas, and a Sister, Alice Considine of Pratt, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Zephalena Smith and his in-laws, Arthrur and Frances Holmes, and a brother-in-law, James Holmes. Upon his retirement, Edwin continued to enjoy collecting and identifying plants as well as reading and wood carving. After the celebration of life service at Moore's Chapel Edwin requested that ALL his family and friends be invited to Tim's Pizza (on why 45) for pizza and drinks on him! The family will be at Tim's to receive condolences and to share stories about Edwin. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday February 4, 2017 at Moore's Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the University of Arkansas Herbarium, 401 Science-Engineering Building Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701; The Salvation Army 615 Slaters Lane, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, Virginia 22313, or Legacy Circle of Life Hospice, 1201 NE Legacy Pkwy Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.