It is with deep sadness that the family of Dr. Frederick O. Smetana announces his passing on May 27, 2011 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 82 years old. Dr. Smetana is the oldest child born on November 1928 to the late Emilie and Otto Frederick Smetana in Philadelphia, PA. He was married to Adelaide Sigmon from December 27, 1952 until her demise on July 3, 2005. He was later remarried to Zenaida Rivera on December 16, 2006.
Dr. Smetana graduated from North Carolina State College in 1950 with a B.S. of Mechanical Engineering (Aero Option). He worked for Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California in 1951. He returned to NC State and earned a Master's Degree in June 1953. From July 1953 – July 1955, he served as a flight test engineer in the United States Air Force at Edwards AF Base. From 1955 – 1961, he was a research scientist at the University of Southern California where he earned his Ph.D. in Engineering.
In 1961, Dr. Smetana joined the faculty of the NCSU Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department where he remained until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure, he wrote several text books and numerous technical articles in addition to his normal teaching duties. Following his retirement, he was Professor Emeritus and continued to write several additional text books, one of which has recently been translated in Chinese for use in universities in the Republic of China. Within the last year, Dr. Smetana has also taught opera at the NCSU’s Encore program.
He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Phi, Sigma Xi, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Crabtree Rotary Club, and the Wolfpack Club and was featured in Who's Who In The World, as well as Who's Who In America. He was passionate about his roses, classical music (particularly opera), history, traveling, and his beloved Wolfpack. To those that know him very well, Dr. Smetana will always be remembered for his astute intellect, his ability to match wits at Jeopardy, his interest in US Presidential trivia, his wit and sense of humor.
In addition to his wife, Dr. Smetana is survived by his children: Daniel (Phyllis) Smetana, Martha (David) Hunt, Andrew Smetana, Paul (Fran) Smetana; grandchildren Alexander and Jonathan Smetana, Rhodes and Spencer Hunt; Zenaida's children Jerry (Ana) Tiu, James Tiu, Jackie (Greg) Reed and Zeny’s grandchildren, Jamille, Alphonz Joseph, Jillian, Lance and Nicole; and his sister Elaine (Edwin) Dorton.
Visitation is Wednesday, June 1 from noon-2pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Raleigh, with a memorial service following at 2pm. A service celebrating Dr. Smetana's life will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 11 at 1pm.
Memorial donations may be made to WCPE, Box 897, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
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