Gene E. Smith

Gene E. Smith, beloved husband, dad and grandpa, passed away on July 13, 2010 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on June 6, 1936 in Fulton County , Ohio to Hal and Nova (Barnes) Smith. His family moved to Morenci , MI before he started school. He graduated from Morenci High School in 1954 and enrolled in the Engineering College at the University of Michigan where he received his B.S.E., M.S.E and Ph.D. In 1963 he joined the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at the University of Michigan where he taught until his retirement in 1998. During the last few years of his career he was appointed Assistant Dean which gave him the opportunity to not only teach, but counsel students. Throughout his distinguished career he was devoted to his students. Another highlight of his career was to serve as faculty advisor to the U of M Solar Car teams from 1988-1999. He also had the privilege to serve as a football mentor to 12 football athletes from 1988-1999. Needless to say, he was a Michigan football fan. In 1959 he joined West Side United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities and was a long time member of the church choir. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Darlene (Rupp); two sons, Douglas (Kathleen Desmond) and Jeffrey; three daughters, Shar Ann, Lisa and Valerie (James Jones) and 4 grandchildren, Hannah, Riley, Jacob and Andrew. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert and twin brother Glen, a sister Evelyn Ford and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son, David, his parents, sisters Ruby and Barbara and brother Everett.