Obituary of Roland Smith

Roland James Smith Roland James Smith was born June 3, 1923, in Warren, PA. His parents were Genevia Babcock and Roland Romig Smith. They moved to Canton, Ohio, when Roland was very young. His father worked for Timkens Roller Bearing Company. Roland graduated from McKinley High School in 1941. Following graduation, he took welding training and welded Jeep jacks until he entered the US Army Amphibious Engineers in April 1942. He was in the Corps of Engineers which made four major invasions; North Africa, Algeria Oran, Gela and Sicily at Solarno, Italy. Roland took part in the D-Day landing on Utah Beach, Normandy. He received a Jubilee of Normandy medal in June 1994, the 50th Anniversary of that campaign. Following his discharge in 1944 he attended college in Miami, Ohio, where he majored in Podiatry. He took his graduate work in San Francisco and settled in Pendleton, Oregon, in 1949. There he met Marion Snider, art teacher. They were married March 21, 1951. That summer they moved to Pasco, WA. where Dr. Smith practiced Podiatry 38 years, retiring in 1989. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Colonial Estates, Olympia, WA. Roland was a 32nd Degree Life Member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge, a 40 year member of Eastern Star, and a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Olympia. He was a 38 year member of the Pasco Kiwanis Club where he acted as Secretary for many years. He enjoyed traveling, cruising, golf, duplicate bridge and working with Tax Aid for Seniors. He is survived by his wife of 58 years in the home; daughter, Lezlie Popik (Charles); son, Kim Smith, both of Bothell; one granddaughter, Amanda Popik-Dearing (David) of Seattle; 12 nieces and nephews; a brother, Paul Smith (Darlene) and sister Alice Ralph both of Florida. Another sister, Anna Margaret and his parents are deceased. Dr. Roland J. Smith was a quiet man with helping hands who did his best, loved his family, his work, his country, and his God. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to: Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, One Intrepid Square West 46th St. & 12th Ave. New York, NY 10036. To leave a condolence online click on "View Guestbook" below.