R. Porter Smith ’44
PORTER DIED in his sleep Apr. 13, 1991 ' of a heart attack. He had suffered from chronic emphysema. He grew up in Baltimore and was educated at Calvert School and Gilman, At Princeton, he majored in chemistry. He was a popular stalwart on Bayard Stockton's "Battling Bees" of freshman football. He roomed alone until joining George Radcliffe and Francis Broderick of '43 his junior year.
In 1943, he was commissioned from the submarine school at the Naval Academy. He served with distinction in the Pacific and won the Combat Submarine Insignia with Star. Discharged a lieutenant, he remained in the naval reserve for many years. Porter married Joanne Snow of Baltimore and established his home and family in Tucson, Ariz., where he was in the television business for a number of years before returning to school at the Univ. ofArizona to earn his law degree in 1975.
Porter was an avid sportsman who loved duck hunting and English equestrian events, Joanne still owns the farm where the whole family rode and held horse shows under the aegis of the Cottonwood Pony Club established on that land. He also served the Princeton Club of Tucson as v.p., treasurer, and schools committee member.
Son Henry (Bucky) Webster III predeceased Porter. His living childrenJoanne Darby, R. Porter Jr., Constance Bagley, and Cynthia Bloomreside in California. His widow, Joanne SnowSmith continues to teach Italian Renaissance art history at the Univ. of Washington in Seattle. To his family and many friends, we send our heartfelt sympathies.
The Class of 1944
Paw in print

March 2025
Screening for cancer with liquid biopsy; PetroTiger; Endowments targeted.
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