Winslow H. Smith ’47

Smitty was a robust, happily remembered classmate from Princeton's July 1943 V-12 unit. He went on to the Pacific theater and, on return to postwar Princeton, he married Jean McNamara in 1947. They lived for a year in the "old polo field" barracks until Smitty graduated in 1948.

Smitty first tried his hand in the corporate world, and then left it to open his own hardware store and then a building business. Along the way he became a substitute teacher in the Acton-Boxborough (Mass.) High School. This led to a professional epiphany — taking up full-time teaching where he said he could "occupy my own stage" and "challenge" his "captive audience" to excel. He enjoyed every minute of this rewarding task. He sent two sons to Princeton and many students "to the Ivies." Long summers were spent in Maine enjoying his family and fishing. Retirement brought a new and happy life, shared even more closely with Jean.

Smitty savored his life, including the friendship and gratitude of the many students he had challenged over the years. He died Dec. 4, 2005. With appreciation for his service to so many others, we send this tribute and our warm wishes to Jean and the family.

The Class of 1947