George Leonard Smith PhD

George Leonard Smith, PhD, 88, of Columbus, OH passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, with family by his side. Originally from Pennsylvania, George was born on September 6, 1935 in Bellefonte to the late George Leonard and Frieda (Droege) Smith. George Jr. attended the Pennsylvania State University where he earned a BS in Industrial Engineering (IE). As a freshman, he was a member of the 1953 NCAA National Championship Wrestling team and continued on the team through his senior year.

George furthered his studies, earning Master’s degrees in IE and Experimental Psychology at Lehigh University and a PhD in Human Factors IE at the Oklahoma State U. In 1968, Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE; now called Integrated Systems Engineering) of The Ohio State University where he served as Chair, 1982-1994, and concurrently as interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 1991-93. He worked closely with the College of Engineering Office of Minority Affairs and, in 2000, established “The George L. Smith Scholarship Fund in Industrial and Systems Engineering” for students active in both professional and honorary organizations with preference for women, Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and African-Americans.

In 1992, George received the Everett D. Reese Medal, OSU’s highest honor in recognition of exceptional service in private philanthropy. He was co-chair of the faculty-staff division of the first major comprehensive fundraising campaign at Ohio State in the late 1980s. He retired from OSU as Professor Emeritus in 1995.

Over the course of his career, George was named a Fellow of three associations: The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE); the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society; and World Confederation of Productivity Science. He served as President of four engineering organizations: The Society for Engineering and Management Systems; World Academy of Productivity Science; the World Network of Productivity Organizations; and the Council of Industrial Engineering Academic Department Heads. In 2014, in recognition of his dedication to the advancement of his profession globally, IISE established the annual “George L. Smith International Award For Excellence In Promotion of Industrial Engineering.”

For 58 years, George was a Labor Arbitrator for the United States Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. As a professional engineer, he was appointed the public member of the State of Ohio Power Siting Commission (now Board). Dr. Smith was also a consultant and expert witness. Notably, he consulted with the federal government on the formation of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after it was established by Congress in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Outside of work, he greatly enjoyed participating in monthly meetings of the Catholic Commission on Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (CCICA), Torch Club, and weekly faculty theology discussion group meetings. For four decades, George was an active member of St. Thomas More Newman Center, Ohio State’s Catholic Campus ministry. He and Patricia, his wife of 61 years, were long-time patrons of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, avid attendees at Ohio State football and men’s basketball games, post-season games and tournaments, and season subscribers of the Chamber Music Orchestra.

George is survived by his wife, Patricia Gallagher Smith; his daughters Stephanie Smith and Seana Ferris (Andrew), his grandsons, George, William, and Andrew, all of Upper Arlington, OH, as well as his brother, Jos A Smith (Charissa) of Sarasota, FL. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, and very proud grandfather.

Visitation will be Friday, April 5, 4-6 PM at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agatha Church on Saturday, April 6 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to The George L. Smith Scholarship Fund in Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University Fund No 646750, https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/646750?fund=646750&recurring=true or to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at CSO Memorial Giving, https://columbussymphony.com/support/tribute-memorial-giving/