Robert Pease Smith ’39

Bob died in Clermont, Fla., Jan. 19, 2007, after a long and distinguished medical career.

He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1943. After an accelerated internship, he joined the Army as a battalion surgeon with the 10th Armored Division. He served as a captain, and was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery in treating soldiers while under fire.

After the war he completed internal-medicine training in Boston, where he met and married Caroline Wheelock, beginning 59 years of devoted companionship.

Motivated by his experiences in the war, he returned to Massachusetts General Hospital to train as a fellow in the new specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation. He pursued this specialty for the rest of his career, from Vermont to Kentucky to Connecticut, maintaining his private practice in addition to serving as a teacher, lecturer, and consultant to rehabilitation centers. Somehow he also found time for power-boating, tennis, and hiking.

Bob is survived by Caroline, their six children, and 10 grandchildren, who remember his unwavering warmth and good humor. We offer them our sincere sympathy.