To the Middlebury College community:
I write with the sad news that Professor Emeritus of Economics David K. Smith died on Wednesday, November 22.
"D.K." Smith was an undergraduate economics major and a member of the Middlebury College class of 1942. Following his graduation from Middlebury, David served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He then earned his master's in business administration, and a master's and doctorate in economics at Harvard University. David taught briefly at Lake Forest College and Tufts University before returning to the Middlebury College Department of Economics in 1950, where he taught for 37 years and was department chair for 15. During the 1970s, he created a course in environmental economics that helped the College further develop its innovative and nationally recognized program in environmental studies.
David was dedicated to his students and to the academic life of the College. When he retired, friends and family created the Professor David K. Smith Visiting Economic Lecture Series that assures a yearly guest lecturer or forum on some dimension of applied economics. The David K. Smith '42 Chair in Applied Economics was established in 2001 and is held by Phanindra Wunnava.
A native Vermonter who was proud of his heritage, David was an active member of his local and state communities. He served on the Vermont Council of Economic Advisors for Governors Hoff, Davis, Salmon and Kunin. He was a trustee of the village of Middlebury as well as a consultant for Central Vermont Public Service; the latter for 23 years. A musician and Vermont humorist, David was also an avid skier and served as a board member of the Catamount Trail Association.
He is survived by his four children, including David K. Smith, Jr. '68; their spouses; and nine grandchildren. His wife Carol, a 1943 graduate of Middlebury, died in 2004.
There will be a Christian Science service at a time yet to be announced. Contributions may be made to the Christian Science Church and the Catamount Trail Association.
— Ronald D. Liebowitz
President of Middlebury College