Wood Smethurst

Dr. Wood Smethurst passed away on Tuesday, July 14, at Emory Hospital. He was predeceased by his mother Margarette Wood Smethurst and his father Frank Smethurst. Wood was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 1, 1933, and spent his childhood there before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Following his graduation from UNC, he served honorably as an officer in the United States Navy. After his military service, he worked in the insurance field before finding what he considered to be the highest calling one could have—to be a teacher. As a result, he pursued an MAT at Emory University and won a scholarship to Harvard University, where he completed the Ed.D. in Reading and Curriculum. Wood began his teaching career at Harvard in the Harvard University Reading Clinic and the Harvard Bureau of Study Council before returning to Atlanta to work with his mentor, Elliott Galloway. He taught with Elliott in the early days of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School before working with Elliott as a teacher when The Galloway School was first established. He served as Vice-President of the Board and Curriculum Planner for The Galloway School before becoming the Acting Chairman for the Board of Trustees and Lead Teacher for the Paideia School. During this time he was Senior Author for the Houghton-Mifflin Primary Reading Series.

In 1975, Dr. Smethurst became Director of the Emory University Reading Center with joint appointments in Educational Studies and the Institute of Liberal Arts at Emory University. He worked actively with Emory University Medical School students for over forty years up to the present. In 1987 he became the co-founder and Headmaster of the Ben Franklin Academy, where he served brilliantly for twenty-eight years until his retirement on July 1 of this year.

Wood’s professional and volunteer service was legendary, assuming leadership roles in Literacy Action, the American Business Council for Effective Literacy, the Georgia Governor’s Education Review Commission, the Georgia Conservancy, the Orton Dyslexia Society, the Council for Basic Education, and the Board of Advisors of Schenck School, among others. He gave generously of his time in pro bono work with students of all ages who needed help with study skills and reading.

Dr. Smethurst was also a gifted writer of professional and creative work. Interested in helping students achieve success in school and in developing their reading and study skills, Dr. Smethurst published articles and books that addressed these issues. His love of poetry was evident in his own poetic works, many of which were published. Wood received many commendations for his pioneering work in individualized teaching and Mastery Learning. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Harvard Chapter, and Omicron Delta Kappa, Emory Chapter.

The greatest loves of his life, however, were his two sons-Frank and William. He considered them his greatest gifts. Fostering in them a love and respect for all living creatures and plants, he taught them how to be kind and generous members of the planet. He encouraged them to love all of God’s children and to pursue their dreams and interests with passion and dedication.

Wood is survived by his two sons and their families: Frank Powell Smethurst, wife Dr. Carol Conzelman and daughter Mallie Smethurst of Boulder, Colorado; and William Cabot Smethurst, wife Shannon Smethurst, their daughters Alaina and Emma Smethurst, and their son Trevor Kuboske of Montrose, Colorado.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 18. The visitation at 10:00 AM will precede the service, and a reception will follow at the Reception Hall of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wood Smethurst Scholarship Fund of the Ben Franklin Academy, 1585 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30329.