Howard Smith ’52

Howie, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, came to Princeton from Choate and majored in chemical engineering. He belonged to Key and Seal, Lutheran Students, the Republican Club, American Chemical Society, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He roomed with Ron Kinney, Syd Smith, and John Clutz. After service in the Army he joined Virginia Dare Extract Co., a firm founded by his grandfather, and became president in 1961. He retired as chairman in 2004.

Howie knew persistence and commitment. He was a leader in his industry associations and in Lutheran charities, especially health organizations and subsidized housing for the aged. Among these were the boards of the United Hospital Fund of New York and the NYU Lutheran Medical Center. He served on the boards of the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and the Dime Savings Bank. He organized the United Lutheran Appeal and belonged to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for 75 years, where his funeral was held after his death Jan. 28, 2016.

Howie was predeceased by his wife, the Rev. Elsie Smith. He is survived by their children, Jean ’77, Howard Jr., and Lilla, to whom the class sends regrets at the loss of our remarkably productive classmate.