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Dr. David Ray Smith
September 24, 1949 – July 28, 2024
Dr. David Ray Smith, 74, of Arnold, MD, passed away peacefully in his sleep while vacationing with family in Corolla, NC on July 28, 2024.
He was born in Louisville, KY to the late James Randall “Smitty” Smith and Beulah E. (Ray) Smith. He is a very proud alumnus of these Catholic learning institutions, also in Louisville – Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Xavier High School (Class of 1967) and Bellarmine College (now Bellarmine University, Class of 1971). He studied math while a member of the Cardinal Section at Bellarmine and participated in U.S. Air Force ROTC through a reciprocal program at University of Louisville. After graduating from Bellarmine, he completed graduate studies and obtained his PhD in meteorology at Texas A&M in 1979. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a first lieutenant at Vandenburg AFB in southern California. He forecasted weather for missile launches on both coasts and was deployed to Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and Wallops Island in the Atlantic. A friend from Vandenberg AFB recalls his recorded weather reports always ending with “Watch out for weathermen on bicycles” – a nod to his renowned and hilarious sense of humor.
Upon completing his military service, Dr. Smith became an Assistant Professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. His passion and true calling was to serve as a classroom teacher, and he also co-directed a NSF-funded teacher enhancement program focused on meteorology. In 1987, he moved to the Annapolis, MD area, where he spent the rest of his professional career teaching at the United States Naval Academy (USNA). As a proud veteran, this was a wonderful opportunity to combine his military experience with his love of teaching.
During his tenure at USNA, he taught a variety of meteorology courses in the Department of Oceanography and directed 56 student research projects which addressed a variety of topics in meteorology and climate. He led the department as its associate chair for 16 years and chair for seven years, working tirelessly to hire quality instructors and staff and keep the Oceanography Department curriculum challenging and relevant to the needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. To further pursue his interest in pre-college teacher development, he co-founded and co-directed the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Maury Project. Under his leadership for 26 years, the Maury Project team trained more than 600 teachers in physical oceanography, who then peer-trained more than 20,000 other teachers across the U.S., its territories, and nine other nations worldwide. Throughout his career, Dr. Smith served in several key positions, including Commissioner of Education and Human Resources for AMS. His awards include recognition as a Fellow of the AMS in 1996, the 2018 AMS Charles Franklin Brooks Award, the 2009 USNA Civilian Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, three Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Medals, and the Navy Civilian Superior Service Medal. He retired from USNA in 2014 after 26 years of service to that institution, but the honors and engagement continued even after leaving the classroom. His beloved Bellarmine University inducted Dr. Smith into the Gallery of Distinguished Graduates in 2021. He also served as the USNA junior varsity squash coach from 2017 to 2023.
While his professional and academic career is very impressive, David was also extraordinarily proud of his family, whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents Smitty and Beulah Smith, grandparents on both the Ray and Smith side (of KY), brother John Smith (of NC), father-in-law Clinton A. Killam (of MD), and nephew Christopher Clark (of KY). He is survived by many beloved family members, including Peggy Lynne Killam Smith (whom he married in August 1991); daughters Nicole Smith Worley (Steven) of Leesburg, VA and Andrea Smith Stilwell (J. Cody) of Goodlettsville, TN; grandchildren Dr. Julia Worley (US Naval Lieutenant Jack Muller) of Norfolk, VA; Samuel Worley of Brooklyn, NY; Emma and Ella Worley of Leesburg, VA, as well as Camryn, Kevin, Kylee, and Skylin Worley of Leesburg, VA; sisters Marilyn Smith of Johnstown, NY and Donna (David) Gentry of Louisville, KY; mother-in-law Lynne E. Killam of Annapolis, MD; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends who were like family. He was beloved and will be missed by many, including former students and mentees.
A celebration of life is planned for what would have been his 75th birthday – Tuesday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette (801 Stevenson Road; Severn, MD 21144). Visitation with the family will begin one hour prior. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall at St. Bernadette. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Smith’s memory to St. Xavier High School, Bellarmine University, or Navy Squash at The United States Naval Academy (please input “Navy Squash” as the designation when prompted).
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
I loved David’s humor and would refer to him by the moniker his wife gave him (“Mr. Sweetheart”).
We are so very sorry for your loss and our hearts are with you through all of this. Please know that we are all here for you, should you need anything. Big hugs and prayers to you and your family, Andrea. We certainly love you, lady. Dan, Stephanie and Blaine (future meteorologist)
Dear Peg and family, I am very sorry for your loss. I had many, many interesting and rewarding conversations with David in the sacristy before Mass at St. Bernadette Parish over a time period that stretched into decades. We most often talked about teaching and the challenges of being department chairs. David was a great lector at Mass. He did not read God’s Word…he proclaimed God’s Word. David and Peg always made me feel like I was special. I will always appreciate and remember their love and care for me as a priest, including when I went to Tanzania as a missionary. Know that David will continue to be in my prayers. I pray that all the angels and saints will lead David into the gentle and everlasting grasp of God’s unconditional love.
My deepest sympathy to all family. David and I were members of the fighting class ot 1967 at St. X. He lived a complete good life. He is now gazing at the face of God. Eternal rest David.
Andrea and Cody, Know that you both, along with all those who love your dad, are in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️ Michelle
Dr. Smith was a beloved mentor, leader, friend, and brother-in-Christ. He served the Lord in many ways, but most notably as a servant leader himself. David led, guided, and formed countless leaders in our nation’s military, ensuring the development of the courage and character required for their future endeavors. He was a Good Samaritan, and humble Doctor, and one of the funniest souls on earth. I miss his laugh. Just happy to know he’s face to face with Jesus laughing every day! God bless you!
I met Dr. Richard Spinrad at an event this evening and was saddened to learn of Dr. Smith’s passing. I was an Honors Oceanography student of his in 2001-2002 when we co-wrote a paper on global energy oscillations in tropical cyclone geneses. Two masters degrees later, I still consider this work—as an undergraduate, no less—the most challenging and satisfying product of my entire academic career. I owe all of that to Dr. Smith’s passion and mentorship in synoptic scale meteorology. Though I ultimately pursued a full Navy career as an unrestricted line officer and gravitated toward leadership and management, my love of meteorology never left me. Today I’m a City Manager in a coastal city dealing with myriad environmental challenges due to climate change and sea level rise. But I have a powerful leg up on Mother Nature because of my academic background in oceanography and meteorology, and I owe a great deal of that to Dr. Smith. For those mourning his passing (as do I), please take solace in celebrating a life I consider to have been extraordinarily well lived. Dr. Smith’s legacy certainly lives on with his characteristic energy in those he taught. Fair winds & following seas, sir; we have the watch.
Staff at the American Meteorological Society Education Program mourn the loss of David, our colleague for decades in oceanographic and meteorological education. David's leadership on the Maury Project, which focused on physical oceanography, provided professional development experiences to several hundred K-12 teachers in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, impacting countless more educators and students. Many alumni from this program continue to serve as AMS DataStreme course mentors and Certified AMS Teachers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peggy and the entire family. David's unwavering dedication to working with teachers helped shape the Education Program into what it is today.
AMS Education Program staff mourn the loss of David, our colleague for decades in oceanographic and meteorological education. David's leadership on the Maury Project, which focused on physical oceanography, provided professional development experiences to several hundred K-12 teachers in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, impacting countless more educators and students. Many alumni from this program continue to serve as AMS DataStreme course mentors and Certified AMS Teachers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peggy and the entire family. David's unwavering dedication to working with teachers helped shape the Education Program into what it is today.
I loved David’s humor and would refer to him by the moniker his wife gave him (“Mr. Sweetheart”).
We are so very sorry for your loss and our hearts are with you through all of this. Please know that we are all here for you, should you need anything. Big hugs and prayers to you and your family, Andrea. We certainly love you, lady.
Dan, Stephanie and Blaine (future meteorologist)
Dear Peg and family, I am very sorry for your loss. I had many, many interesting and rewarding conversations with David in the sacristy before Mass at St. Bernadette Parish over a time period that stretched into decades. We most often talked about teaching and the challenges of being department chairs. David was a great lector at Mass. He did not read God’s Word…he proclaimed God’s Word. David and Peg always made me feel like I was special. I will always appreciate and remember their love and care for me as a priest, including when I went to Tanzania as a missionary. Know that David will continue to be in my prayers. I pray that all the angels and saints will lead David into the gentle and everlasting grasp of God’s unconditional love.
My deepest sympathy to all family. David and I were members of the fighting class ot 1967 at St. X. He lived a complete good life. He is now gazing at the face of God. Eternal rest David.
Andrea and Cody,
Know that you both, along with all those who love your dad, are in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️ Michelle
Dr. Smith was a beloved mentor, leader, friend, and brother-in-Christ. He served the Lord in many ways, but most notably as a servant leader himself. David led, guided, and formed countless leaders in our nation’s military, ensuring the development of the courage and character required for their future endeavors. He was a Good Samaritan, and humble Doctor, and one of the funniest souls on earth. I miss his laugh. Just happy to know he’s face to face with Jesus laughing every day! God bless you!
I met Dr. Richard Spinrad at an event this evening and was saddened to learn of Dr. Smith’s passing. I was an Honors Oceanography student of his in 2001-2002 when we co-wrote a paper on global energy oscillations in tropical cyclone geneses. Two masters degrees later, I still consider this work—as an undergraduate, no less—the most challenging and satisfying product of my entire academic career. I owe all of that to Dr. Smith’s passion and mentorship in synoptic scale meteorology.
Though I ultimately pursued a full Navy career as an unrestricted line officer and gravitated toward leadership and management, my love of meteorology never left me. Today I’m a City Manager in a coastal city dealing with myriad environmental challenges due to climate change and sea level rise. But I have a powerful leg up on Mother Nature because of my academic background in oceanography and meteorology, and I owe a great deal of that to Dr. Smith.
For those mourning his passing (as do I), please take solace in celebrating a life I consider to have been extraordinarily well lived. Dr. Smith’s legacy certainly lives on with his characteristic energy in those he taught. Fair winds & following seas, sir; we have the watch.
Staff at the American Meteorological Society Education Program mourn the loss of David, our colleague for decades in oceanographic and meteorological education. David’s leadership on the Maury Project, which focused on physical oceanography, provided professional development experiences to several hundred K-12 teachers in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, impacting countless more educators and students. Many alumni from this program continue to serve as AMS DataStreme course mentors and Certified AMS Teachers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peggy and the entire family. David’s unwavering dedication to working with teachers helped shape the Education Program into what it is today.
AMS Education Program staff mourn the loss of David, our colleague for decades in oceanographic and meteorological education. David’s leadership on the Maury Project, which focused on physical oceanography, provided professional development experiences to several hundred K-12 teachers in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland, impacting countless more educators and students. Many alumni from this program continue to serve as AMS DataStreme course mentors and Certified AMS Teachers. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peggy and the entire family. David’s unwavering dedication to working with teachers helped shape the Education Program into what it is today.