Obituary for David Edward Smith, O.C., S.O.M., F.R.S.C.
David Edward Smith, O.C., S.O.M., F.R.S.C.
August 8, 1936-January 2, 2023
David died peacefully at home in Niagara-on-the-Lake just one year after being diagnosed with ALS. He is survived by his wife, Gene Anne Smith, son, Joshua Smith (Brooke McDonald), daughter, Sarah Smith, and three grandchildren, Emma Ladouceur, Deanna Ladouceur and Ryder Smith. He was predeceased by his parents, Sterling and Doris Smith and his sister, Jean Smith.
Born in Springhill, N.S., David grew up in New Westminster and Victoria B.C and Aylmer, Ontario. He received his B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1959 and his PhD from Duke University in 1964. He taught politics at the University of Saskatchewan for forty years until his retirement in 2004 and was subsequently Senior Policy Fellow at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Regina and then a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
David loved teaching and loved his students, maintaining contact with many over the years. He received several teaching awards. He served his profession as head of his department and associate dean of graduate studies. He was a book editor of the Canadian Journal of Political Science and President of the Canadian Political Science Association. He was on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and held a visiting professorship of Canadian Studies in Japan.
He was a distinguished writer and scholar, authoring or editing 20 books, 6 monographs and enumerable articles and book chapters. His publications include a trilogy of works on each of the parts of Parliament, as well as books on political parties, the constitution, and federalism. The People’s House of Commons: Theories of Democracy in Contention (University of Toronto Press) won the Donner Prize for the best book in Canadian public policy in 2007. Across the Aisle: Opposition in Canadian Politics (University of Toronto Press), won the Canada Prize in Social Sciences in 2014. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He was granted an Earned Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, based on his published work over the course of his professional life, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Ryerson University.
David was gentle, kind and witty. He was a great cook. He loved his family, entertaining and being entertained by his friends, travelling, reading and writing. Our terrible sadness at this time of loss is tempered by a deep sense of gratitude for having shared in the life of this lovely man, our beloved husband, Dad and Grandad.
David’s many friends, colleagues and former students have established the David E. Smith Memorial Scholarship in Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in his honour. The family would welcome charitable gifts in support of this scholarship for those wishing to remember him. Donations may be made at www.usask.ca/give or by phoning (306) 966-5186.
Arrangements have been entrusted to MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent St. Niagara-on-the-Lake. A funeral service will be held this Saturday January 7, 2023, at 11:00am at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 41 Byron Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Inurnment will take place at St. Mark’s Cemetery, later in the spring.
August 8, 1936-January 2, 2023
David died peacefully at home in Niagara-on-the-Lake just one year after being diagnosed with ALS. He is survived by his wife, Gene Anne Smith, son, Joshua Smith (Brooke McDonald), daughter, Sarah Smith, and three grandchildren, Emma Ladouceur, Deanna Ladouceur and Ryder Smith. He was predeceased by his parents, Sterling and Doris Smith and his sister, Jean Smith.
Born in Springhill, N.S., David grew up in New Westminster and Victoria B.C and Aylmer, Ontario. He received his B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1959 and his PhD from Duke University in 1964. He taught politics at the University of Saskatchewan for forty years until his retirement in 2004 and was subsequently Senior Policy Fellow at the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Regina and then a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
David loved teaching and loved his students, maintaining contact with many over the years. He received several teaching awards. He served his profession as head of his department and associate dean of graduate studies. He was a book editor of the Canadian Journal of Political Science and President of the Canadian Political Science Association. He was on the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and held a visiting professorship of Canadian Studies in Japan.
He was a distinguished writer and scholar, authoring or editing 20 books, 6 monographs and enumerable articles and book chapters. His publications include a trilogy of works on each of the parts of Parliament, as well as books on political parties, the constitution, and federalism. The People’s House of Commons: Theories of Democracy in Contention (University of Toronto Press) won the Donner Prize for the best book in Canadian public policy in 2007. Across the Aisle: Opposition in Canadian Politics (University of Toronto Press), won the Canada Prize in Social Sciences in 2014. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He was granted an Earned Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, based on his published work over the course of his professional life, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Ryerson University.
David was gentle, kind and witty. He was a great cook. He loved his family, entertaining and being entertained by his friends, travelling, reading and writing. Our terrible sadness at this time of loss is tempered by a deep sense of gratitude for having shared in the life of this lovely man, our beloved husband, Dad and Grandad.
David’s many friends, colleagues and former students have established the David E. Smith Memorial Scholarship in Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in his honour. The family would welcome charitable gifts in support of this scholarship for those wishing to remember him. Donations may be made at www.usask.ca/give or by phoning (306) 966-5186.
Arrangements have been entrusted to MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent St. Niagara-on-the-Lake. A funeral service will be held this Saturday January 7, 2023, at 11:00am at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 41 Byron Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Inurnment will take place at St. Mark’s Cemetery, later in the spring.