Leonard Alan Smith, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus Leonard Alan Smith, beloved brother, uncle, cousin and dear friend, passed away at his home on June 30, 2021 at the age of 81 after a short, but courageous battle with cancer. He went peacefully and was surrounded by many loved ones.

Len earned his bachelor’s from the University of Dayton, Masters in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and Ph.D. in Wood Products Engineering from SUNY College of Forestry (now Environmental Science and Forestry). Until his retirement in 2006, he was a tenured Associate Professor as well as Chairman of Construction Management and Wood Products Engineering from 1985 to 1994. He was advisor to many grad students who went on to become his associates and close friends.

Len graced Holy Cross Church in Dewitt, NY with many years of faithful service, including the Faith in Action Ministry and the Men’s Book Club.

Generosity and sincere kindness were the core attributes by which Len lived his life, selflessly offering his time and resources to anyone ever in need of them. Without exception, there is not a family member or friend who hasn’t been helped by him at one time or another. He made it a point to always stay in contact with even the most remote of his friends and family and in doing so, was the unwavering bond holding everyone together.

At graduation time, Len’s students lined up outside of his office door to say goodbye and to thank him for his support and mentorship.  They are now located throughout the world. His lifelong commitment to education continues with the donation of his body to Upstate Medical University to further science.

He is survived by his sisters, Kathryn Elicker and Marie Lellis; as well as his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial, will be held at St. Clare Church, 5659 Mayfield Rd, in Lyndhurst at 10am on July 31^st, followed by a memorial to celebrate Len’s life at DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home, 28890 Chardon Road, in Willoughby Hills.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in his name to either Covenant House (https://www.covenanthouse.org) or towards a scholarship under the Leonard A. Smith Memorial Fund, SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry (https://www.esf.edu/donate/, under designation drop down).

Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD.

Please see the TRIBUTE WALL here.