Dr. Eric Charles Smith

Dr. Eric Charles Smith, 79, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Eric was born in Niles, Michigan on November 10, 1943, to Charles and Verald Smith. Eric married Ronnie Smith on December 23, 1967, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He spent most of his life in the Midwest, growing up in Bloomington, Indiana, and Whitefish Bay. After high school, Eric attended Western Michigan University, and eventually, as a Mott Fellow and through a prestigious Charles Stewart Mott Foundation internship, earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership in 1975.

Eric is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Verald, and his sister, Karen Wampler.

Eric is survived by his wife Ronnie; daughters Erin (James) Miles, Megan (Jeff) Geisler and Brynn Smith; brothers and sisters-in-law Randy and Marilyn Smith, and Wes and Diane Smith; brother-in-law Richard Wampler; grandchildren Foster, Lena, Corinne and Will; and many relatives, friends and colleagues.

Eric dedicated his adult life to education in almost every capacity – as a teacher, an administrator, a grant writer and finally, in retirement, a school bus driver. Eric started his career as a middle and high school history teacher, and later, assistant principal, in Schoolcraft, Michigan. He later shifted his talents to community education, serving as Director of Community Services in Saranac, Michigan; developing a Center for Community Education as an Associate Professor at Mankato State University; working for over 10 years on school-community matters for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction; serving as Director of the Dane County (Wisconsin) Consortium of K-12 School Districts; and finally, closing his career as a grants officer for the University of Wisconsin Colleges. Eric helped in the founding of the Wisconsin Community Education Association (WCEA) and was responsible for the first state plan for Community Education. He served as President of WCEA in 1986 and was given their Exemplary Service Award in 1990. He also served as the President of the National Association of State Directors of Community Education in 1981. After his official retirement, Eric found great joy in giving back to the schools and spending his days as a bus driver, chatting and joking with the kids on his bus.

Eric’s real accomplishment was the steady presence he brought throughout his life to family and friends, who were drawn to Eric’s kind, gentle and laid-back nature. He was a history buff (with a healthy Edmund Fitzgerald obsession); an Eagle Scout, loving all things outdoors; and an avid reader. Eric was quiet about his interests and talents, some of them surprising – wood working, stained glass, and later in life, pickleball. He was passionate about volunteering and issues impacting children and senior citizens, serving as President of the Board of Directors for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County from 1980-1985 and then again from 1988-1990, as well as serving on the Board of the Milwaukee-based Parents Plus organization. He was adored by his grandchildren who loved his goofy side. Eric will truly be missed by the many lives he impacted far and wide.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 11, 2023, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to charities that serve senior citizens, cancer research, or a charity of your choice. Immediate arrangements are being facilitated by Sauls Funeral Home in Bluffton, South Carolina - https://www.saulsfh.com.