Ronald Smith

Ron was born on October 4, 1960, to Gene and Connie Smith of Strattanville. He grew up working on the Smith Family Centennial farm with his brothers Bob and Rick and sister Rhonda. He was a 1978 graduate of the Clarion-Limestone School District and later earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Clarion University in 1986.

In September 1986, he moved from Clarion to New York City and got a job at Standard & Charter Bank through a temp agency. From there he embarked on a distinguished 38-year career at McKinsey & Company, considered to be the world’s leading and most prestigious global consulting firm, with over 130 offices in more than 65 countries worldwide. He joined McKinsey on March 16, 1987 as a data analyst for Recruiting, became the Supervisor of Recruiting Information in October 1995, followed by a short stint as a Product Coordinator from March to December 1999. In January 2000, he became an IT Project Manager and in May 2005 he became Director of Human Resources. In February 2018, he became the Director of Talent, Firm Services Paths. In March 2019, he became Director of Compensation Operations for McKinsey’s Global Compensation Function. In August 2023, he became Director of Compensation for Senior Firm Functions, also part of McKinsey’s Global Compensation Function, a role in which he remained up until his untimely and premature passing.

During his tenure at McKinsey, Ron poured his heart and soul into the Firm, impacting countless lives, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to his co-workers and to McKinsey’s values, especially integrity, collaboration, and McKinsey’s people mission. Known and admired by colleagues across the globe, he possessed a wealth of institutional knowledge and never hesitated to provide feedback to everyone, from new hires to senior leaders. He had a unique ability to deliver difficult messages with grace and empathy – one colleague even remarked that every exit conversation with Ron ended with the exiting employee thanking him. His optimism and ‘perspective is everything’ attitude balanced by his no-nonsense (and occasionally PA- accented) approach was invaluable. He could find the positive in any situation, offering support and guidance with warmth and humor. He was a mentor, sponsor and friend to countless individuals, hanging up pictures drawn by his colleague’s children and keeping a bottomless bowl of chocolates at his desk for anyone walking by. He always took time to connect on a human level, with a personal note celebrating a milestone or a thoughtful piece of advice, making everyone feel seen and valued. In short, he has left an incredible legacy.

Shortly before he started working at McKinsey, in February 1987, Ron met Kevin Lynch, who soon became his partner and husband. Their long-lasting partnership was blessed with their marriage on March 16, 2013. They shared 38 loving years together and purchased an apartment on Central Park West where they lived happily for over 30 years.

Despite living with Diabetes Mellitus, he approached life with resilience, humor, and a boundless enthusiasm which inspired everyone around him. An avid runner and a long-time member of the New York Road Runners Club, he completed 9 marathons (6 NYC, 2 Pittsburgh and 1 Paris) along with innumerable half marathons and 10Ks. His love and passion for cooking and baking gave sustenance (both emotional and nutritional) to his family & friends, who willingly acted as gastronomic “guinea pigs” for his latest culinary creation.

He was the proud son of Gene and Connie Smith; brother to Bob (Donna) Smith, Rhonda Smith and Rick (Lisa) Smith; brother-in-law to James (Judi) Lynch, Teresa (Tom) Alberto, Brendan (Mary) Lynch, Marty (Martha) Lynch, and Michael (Margaret) Lynch; the proud uncle of Ryan (Kelly) Smith, Jessica (Patrick) Craig, Kaleigh (Jordan) Rembold, Sydney, Hannah, and Riley Smith, Erin (Austin) Hurt, Brian (Vanessa) Alberto, Connor (Daphne) Lynch, Devin (Karissa) Lynch, Amanda Grace Lynch, Diane Marie Lynch, Clare Margaret Lynch and Rory Fitzgerald Lynch; and the proud great-uncle of Finley and Rhett Smith, Jack, Paul, Ian, Eric and Amelia Craig, Evelyn and Amelia Hurt, and Sophia Alberto, all of whom survive him, as does his husband, Kevin B. Lynch and his mother-in-law Teresa Lynch. Left to cherish Ron’s memories are his longtime friends and neighbors, Joseph Bell, Peter Longo, Lisa Ying, Peter Catenacci, Michael Kuchs, and close family friends Angela Doolan, Guillaume Barbier, their 2 daughters Aurelie Barbier and Lydie Barbier, and Jewel Felgar, along with enumerable friends and colleagues at McKinsey.

He was widely known, loved, and respected by his colleagues at McKinsey and truly embodied McKinsey’s values. He had a wealth of institutional knowledge, and was honored and humbled to be the only non- consultant/managing director to speak at the memorial for Ron Daniels, the Global Managing Partner for 12 years at McKinsey and part of McKinsey’s “founding generation“.

He will always be remembered as a warm and congenial person, with a contagious smile, great sense of humor, and the ability to bring some Western Pennsylvania farm common sense to the world of global consulting.

Following a service in Western Pennsylvania where Ron grew up, Ron will lay in repose at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, located at 1076 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10028 (Madison Ave at 81st Street) for the following:

Wake - Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 4pm – 8pm, 4th Floor;

Funeral Service-Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 11am, Chapel, 1st Floor; and

Reception-Wednesday, February 26, 2025, immediately following the Funeral Service, 4th Floor.

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Ron will be transported to eastern Long Island for interment at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery, 200 Cedar Street, East Hampton, NY 11937 at 3pm.