Returning to Princeton in 1948, Smitty soon married Connie (Constance Norpell) and achieved an academic record of such distinction in his junior year that the College of Law of Ohio State University admitted him before he completed his Princeton studies.
Smitty established his own law firm in Columbus, Ohio (his hometown), specializing in planning and land-use control laws — a novel field in the 1950s.
His legal skills, dedication, and love of his hometown led to lifelong service with a number of official and civic organizations that engaged in planning and zoning to make Columbus a vibrant urban center today. Smitty’s contribution to this result was enormous.
He died Aug. 2, 2009.
Herb Lape, Smitty’s lifelong friend and Princeton roommate, spoke at the funeral of Smitty’s keen intelligence and will to succeed, as well as his “compassion for those outside the mainstream of life, including people of color and sexual preference.”
We, too, celebrate his life and extend warm wishes to Connie, their two children, and the grandchildren.