The campus community mourns the passing of Howard Smith, 76, who died Monday, Oct. 21, in Wales, UK. Howard retired as professor emeritus of mathematics in 2013 after more than 24 years of service to Bucknell.
Known for his sharp intelligence and wit, Howard was a group theorist and algebraist who was beloved by his students and colleagues. He was a highly accomplished and published scholar who loved philosophy and poetry, particularly the works of Robert Burns and Dylan Thomas, and was widely considered a Renaissance man. Howard was never happier (or more tense) than when watching Wales play rugby.
A funeral service was held at Llwydcoed Crematorium in Wales on Monday, Nov. 11.
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Howard’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
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Obituary information provided by The Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School:
We regret to report the death of Howard Smith in October this year.
Howard attended The ABGS from 1960 to 1967, when he lived in Brecon Road, Hirwaun. Howard left school in 1967 to study for a maths degree in Nottingham, completing it in 1971. He thereafter studied for his postgraduate masters degree, also at Nottingham, and after completing this, he worked for the NHS locally, until he attended Cardiff University where he completed his doctorate in 1982.
He tutored at Cardiff until he was offered a position in Michigan State University, where he stayed from 1985 until 1987. He spent a further year at the University of Oregon, before finally transferring to Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of his career, rising to a senior professor post.
He retired in 2013, when he and his wife, Marilyn, returned to the Cynon valley, where they settled happily in Cwmbach, and where he picked up with many old school friends and enjoyed life until the last two years when he suffered ill health until his death aged 76.
His funeral took place at Llwydcoed Crematorium on 11 Nov 2024 at 10.30 am, and was attended by amongst others former colleagues from the USA. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
I enjoyed getting to know Howard when he took my Italian 101 class many years ago. He was a kind-hearted person. My condolences to his family and friends.
In sympathy,
Lisa Perrone
Howard Smith was my Calculus professor long before I was his colleague at Bucknell. I struggled with Calculus I as a first-year student and Howard was always patient, kind, and sympathetic — even when I was frustrated and near tears. Taking advantage of his office hours, I spent so much time with him that first semester, asking questions or just working quietly on problems with other struggling students. I was cleaning out the attic at my parents’ house several years ago and came across a box of college stuff: books, notebooks, papers, etc. The largest stack of notebooks were from that Calculus class. I don’t know if I ever worked harder at something that was so challenging to me. I remember wanting to perform well and pass the class for Howard as much as for myself. I wanted to show the kind, smart man that he *was* helping me and I *was* learning. Such is the impression a effective, thoughtful, and considerate teacher like Howard makes upon his students — even ones that only have him in class once.
RIP Howard. He was a breath of bracing fresh Welsh air when I arrived at Bucknell in 1993, and for the next 10 years. His strong Welsh accent (which he never lost) always, instantly took me home to Y Cymoedd and to the cerdd, and many a time did we reminisce about the great Welsh rugby teams and achievements of the 1970s. I shall remember him fondly. Heddwch yn y Hedd, Howard. – Greg
Howard was a mathematician, but the humanities never had a more articulate or passionate advocate. He wasn’t capable of being dull in conversation and his range of interests was immense. Diolch yn fawr, Howard.
I feel fortunate to have known and spent time with Howard. I will always remember the Wales rugby watch part he organized in his office–at 3 am. He was as animated listening to the Ramones on his porch as reading Spinoza on the couch.
On one of his geometry tests, a line segment BP was crucial to the problem. At the end of the problem, I wrote: Where do bees go to the bathroom? The BP station. When I got my test back, below it, he wrote, But what if they have the Sheetz?
I still use one of Howard’s expressions despite it being meaningless to everyone but him. When he couldn’t remember the name of something, but it was on the tip of his tongue, he called it a Kingsize Taylor. When I can’t think of a name but know it will eventually come to me, I find myself muttering: “I’m having a Kingsize Taylor” I think he once told me where the expression came from, but I can’t remember it right now…