Obituary of James Smith, 93

James Donaldson “Jim” Smith passed away peacefully, with his daughters by his side, on January 25, 2016 at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College. He was 93.

He was born August 23, 1922 in Wilkes-Barre to the late Donald Noah Smith and Helen Louise Marshall Smith. He attended Pittston High School and Wyoming Seminary, entering Penn State in the fall of 1941. The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, he interrupted his education to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He completed Midshipman School at Fort Schuyler with distinction, then became a Naval Aviation Cadet. After he completed flight training, however, a surfeit of combat pilots caused him to be assigned to the Seabees on Okinawa. He attained the rank of Lieutenant JG and returned to Penn State after the war, graduating in 1949 with a B.S. in Geology and Mining (Mineralogy).

He met Mary Ann Hyson at the wedding of his best friend and her college roommate; they were married on June 29, 1947 at Chanceford Presbyterian Church near her childhood home in Bridgeton, York County.

Initially, Jim was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Wilkes-Barre, then moved to the Lehigh Navigation Coal Company in Lansford, PA, where he was Chief Safety Engineer. From 1954 to 1965 he was Chief Geologist of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, eventually becoming one of the world's foremost experts on tunneling the Appalachian Mountains. The Smith family moved from Lansford to Beaver, PA (Brighton Twp.) in 1965 when Jim joined the Geotechnical Division of Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., which he eventually headed. During his time with Baker, he was a member of the U.S. Dept. of the Interior special task force deployed to investigate dangerous coal mining operations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in the wake of the 1972 Buffalo Creek Disaster. Subsequently, he was employed for several years by Pullman-Swindell (Swindell Dressler) and also the John T. Boyd Company, both of Pittsburgh. In addition, he taught CAD and surveying at the Beaver County Community College, always making a point of memorizing the name of each of his students. He often worked as a freelance Geotechnical consultant. He was also an accomplished photographer and, in later years, an amateur radio operator.

He was a Certified Professional Geologist, Registered Professional Engineer, Registered Professional Land Surveyor, Registered Geologist, Certified Engineering Geologist, and a Licensed Blaster. His professional affiliations included the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers; the Association of Engineering Geologists; the Society of American Military Engineers; the Geological Society of America (Fellow); the American Institute of Professional Geologists; and the British Tunnelling Society.

After 43 years of happy marriage, Mary Ann Hyson Smith pre-deceased Jim in 1990. Also pre-deceasing him were his three younger siblings: Janet (Smith) Haugh, Malcolm F. Smith, and Frank M. Smith. His later years were brightened by his special friends the late Miriam Hamilton and her daughter and son-in-law, Ginny and John Adams.

Jim kept abreast of current events until the end of his life. He had a love of knowledge, an encyclopedic memory, and an understated sense of humor. He was often described as having “the right stuff, ” ready to bring his thoroughgoing competence to meet any challenge. Esteemed for his steadfast honesty and integrity, he was a loving and supportive brother, husband, father, and uncle, a caring friend and neighbor, a valuable colleague, and a mentor to many.

He is survived by his three daughters and their families: Jane Marshall Smith Loefgren and her husband Reed Loefgren of Denver, CO and grandson Ian Loefgren; Laurie Hyson Smith Kaczanowska of Doylestown and grandson Wit Kaczanowski; Kathryn Ann Smith Morrow and her husband James Morrow of State College, step-grandchildren Christopher Morrow and Kathleen Morrow and family. Also surviving are six nephews, two nieces, and their families.

He remained in the family home in Beaver until his relocation to State College. His family would like to thank the staff of Elmcroft State College for their friendship and care.

Jim will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Mary Ann in Round Hill Cemetery, York County, after a private service.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.