In Memoriam: Roger Smith ‘53

Rev. Dr. Roger Kennedy Smith ’53 died Aug. 9, 2021, at age 90. Born in Forest Grove, he grew up in Berkeley, Calif., before returning to Oregon to attend Pacific University. He met his future wife, Margaret Acton while they were working with The American Friends Service Community at the Oregon State Mental Hospital in Salem. They married in June 1953, after graduating from college, then moved back to Berkeley, where Roger attended the Pacific School of Religion. They later moved to Cedarville, Calif., where he was ordained by the Congregational Church. He served in several congregations in California, leading youth camps, gatherings and service opportunities. He also traveled to Selma, Ala., to help get people in place for the 1965 Voting Rights March to Montgomery. After withdrawing from active ministry, he earned his marriage, family and child counselor license and his PhD in clinical psychology. He practiced in California and served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and councils. He returned to the ministry as pastor of the Woodside Village Church, where he retired in 1991 after 25 years of service. He continued to practice as a marriage and family therapist until 2008. He was a photographer, early adopter of computers and webpage creation, theater aficionado, handyman and craftsman. He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy Smith ’28 and Reatha (Parcell) Smith ’26; and grandson Reid Smith. Smith is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret; his brother, Myron Smith ’60; his sons, Mark (and Eileen) and Ray (and Kahndi); grandson Ryan; and nephews Todd Smith ’86 and Kyle Smith ’89.