Frank E. Smith MD

Frank Smith, M. D. It is with great sadness that we tell of the passing of Dr. Frank Smith, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine and Oncologist at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital, on the 23rd of May 2013, peacefully at his home in Houston. Dr. Smith will be sorely missed by all who knew him, including thousands of former patients, and the scores of medical students, residents, and fellows whom he taught during his almost fifty year career as a physician and educator. He served with humility, intelligence, charm and wit…. a combination that earned him numerous accolades and patients from all over the world who came to Houston for his care.

Dr. Smith was born in Edmonton, Alberta Canada the youngest of six children to parents Mrs. Mary Emily Murray Smith and Mr. Frank Carl Smith. He attended Strathcona High School in Edmonton, where he lettered in football, basketball, swimming, and served on the Student Council. He also served as Musical Director and writer for the Scona Follies Variety Show. At graduation in 1954, he received the Harley-Millar-Sutton Trophy for Outstanding Male Graduate, a prestigious award named in memory of three Strathcona alumni who became pilots in the Royal Canadian Air Force and died in World War II.

Dr. Smith did both his undergraduate and medical curriculum at The University of Alberta in Edmonton, graduating from medical school at the age of 24. During this time he was especially proud of being part of the Edmonton Huskies Football Team, AJFL Champions and Western Canada Finalists. During medical school he also played for the Golden Bears Football and Basketball teams. His evenings were spent playing jazz piano, the earnings from which paid his school tuition.

In 1961, he moved to Houston to be a part of the fledgling and exciting new field of medical oncology at Baylor College of Medicine. After serving as Chief Resident, he joined the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine, serving almost 50 years at its associated hospitals: The Methodist Hospital, Ben Taub Hospital, and The VA Hospital. He retired in 2010, as a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine. Although an outstanding academic clinician, publishing more than fifty medical articles and books, Dr. Smith saw himself primarily as an educator. He earned numerous teaching awards, including being inducted into Baylor’s “Teaching Hall of Fame.” He was fond of including riveting case studies to anchor a core set of one or two primary teaching points during didactic sessions (the same style also permeated his parenting!).

Dr. Smith found respite from his hectic life in many ways. He never lost his love for jazz piano. He was a constant member of the band “And All That Jazz,” entertaining many with big band dance tunes. Weekends and vacations he could be found at his “Little Yellow Beach House” in Galveston.

Dr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Mrs. Mary Emily Smith and Mr. Frank Carl Smith. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mrs. Karen Smith, to whom he was a devoted husband; his daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Mary Emily Cannell and her husband Thomas Cannell, D.V.M., of Montreal, Quebec Canada, Dannette Smith Cook, M.D. and her husband Samir Cook, M.D. of Somerset, Kentucky, and Mrs. Claire Endersby and her husband Todd Endersby of San Antonio; his seven grandchildren, Brooks and Grace Cannell; Kamil, Laila, and Catherine Cook; Will and Emilia Endersby. He is also survived by his siblings, Mrs. Margaret Torrance of Queenston, Ontario Canada, Murray Smith, Ph.D. of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Mrs. Shirley Carpenter of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, Mrs. Frances Albinati of Ottawa, Ontario Canada, and Ms. Norma Smith of West Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all those who played a part in his life. They would also like to thank Hospice of Houston for excellent care during his final weeks. His physical passing was marked with his own compassion and awareness for all his patients he guided during the ends of their lives, a true physician to the very end. “Life is short but the art is long” Hippocrates.

The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 22nd of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations be directed to The Frank E. Smith, MD Memorial Medical Education Fund, 267 Woodside Drive, Somerset, KY, 42503; or to the charity of one’s choice.