Kennedy Brown Schmertz ’47

OUR CLASSMATE Ken Schmertz passed away Sept. 6, 1992, in Washington, where he had lived off and on since 1958.

Ken entered Princeton in 1946, after service as an infantry officer in WWII. For one year after his graduation, in 1949, he worked for an importing Firm in Houston. He then begin a notable career as a Foreign Service officer. His first assignment was in Germany, where he remained for five years. He was next sent to Iraq as an economic officer with the American embassy.

After leaving the Foreign Service in 1964, Ken worked as a coordinator for Lyndon Johnson's presidential campaign. He then joined the Smithsonian, where until his retirement in 1991, he served in several capacities of major importance to that renowned institution. He was first the director of the foreign currency program, which supported the research of American scholars abroad. In 1971 he became director of the Smithsonian's Office of International Activities, a post which he held until 1988. Hi Final position before retirement was on the staff of the assistant secretary for external affairs. I n June 1992 he was awarded the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for exceptional service.

Ken's life exemplified the motto "Princeton in the nation's service." To his widow, Sally; his daughters Iliza Barrels, Carey Kempton, and Cordelia Meyer; and his stepdaughter Cathleen O'Connor; the Class extends pr found sympathy.

The Class of 1947