OBITUARY

William D Smucker

June 4, 1952 – January 11, 2021

William Smucker passed away at age 68 after a battle with cancer. He graduated Otterbein College (1974), Case Western Reserve School of Medicine (1978), and completed his Family Medicine residency at Akron City Hospital (1981). A practicing family physician until retirement in 2020, he left private practice in Medina in 1987 and became a faculty physician at Summa’s Family Medicine residency. His practice included 30 years as a long-term care provider in addition to clinical care at the residency, and later Program Director.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Virginia Smucker.

He is survived by his wife Helen (Francis), his sons David Smucker (Jennifer Goldstein) and Darren Smucker (Jordan), his granddaughter Marlo Smucker, his siblings Tom Smucker (Sally), Dan Smucker, and Janet Palte (Robert), his nieces Lauren Jarvis and Meriden Smucker, and nephews Joseph Palte, Michael Palte, and Stephen Palte.

In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Summa Health Foundation Family Medicine Residency Program Directors Endowment Fund at Summa Health Office of the Foundation,525 E Market St, Akron OH 44304, or Faithful Servants Care Center, 65 Community Rd, Suite F, Tallmadge OH 44278, or Feeding Medina County at www.feedingmedinacounty.org

Private Family Services handled through Rose Hill Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared through www.rosehillbp.com

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William D Smucker

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Michael Mchaddon

January 22, 2021

To the family of dr william smucker I just heard today that he had passed I'm sorry for the lose of dr smucker may he rest in peace now and forever he was a good and carrying man I'm going to miss him I'm wish the family well

Mindy Seymour

January 22, 2021

When my son, Kyle , was not yet 2 years old, Bill saved his life when he diagnosed him with periorbital cellulitis. Bill knew another doctor who had just had a medicine released so Kyle could take shots rather than be tethered to an IV machine. Bill and his family were great friends to my son; helping us out a great deal when Kyle later was diagnosed with cancer. I’ll always have fond memories and great regard for “Doctor Bill.”

MARCIE GROESBECK

January 21, 2021

Bill was a Family Practice resident physician at Akron City Hospital when I was a medical student, and I'm sure he's one of the reasons I chose the specialty as my own. "With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good..."; and he was. He was a strong advocate for the best care for his patients and a stellar teacher. His delightful sarcastic sense of humor will be remembered. The world is a better place because Dr. William Smucker was here. Rest in Peace, Bill.

Johna Large

January 21, 2021

Dear Helen, David, and Darren,
Our heartfelt condolences upon the passing of your husband and father.
I always felt that Bill offered his best expertise and compassion in caring for our daughters Katie (b 1982) and Beth (b 1985) were born. None of my questions went unanswered.

May your journey of grief be filled with much pride of Bill’s healing work and fond memories of the family you grew together.

Peace!
Jerry and Johna Large

Howy Stringfellow

January 20, 2021

Bill and I spent three years together at Cloverleaf. My wife and I shared a table with him at the 45th reunion and it was good to talk to him after so many years apart. I pulled out the yearbook and on page 10 is a picture of the two of us giving a speech together. Our unusual hand gesture was to represent a chicken claw. Claudia Cantrell was thoughtful enough to notify me of his passing. He will be missed.

Janet Turner

January 20, 2021

My sympathy to the family of Dr. William Smucker. Bill was way too young to die. But, I know you will be strong and able to carry on. I met you, when David and Darren were second graders at Westfield Elementary School. I always loved hearing what the boys were doing as they grew up. I am so proud of them, as I am certain their father was. And, Helen, my husband died when he was 60, so you see that you can do it, too.

Blessings to you all.

Tim Young

January 19, 2021

I first met Bill, as we were freshman, in the same major at Otterbein in 1970. At first, we were sort of polar opposites; I played football and Bill hung with some of the theatre and music majors. Little did I know, at the time, that Bill and I would spend the next 4 years as best friends and study buddies. We used to pull “all nighters” before big essay biology exams, making a donut run at 3 in the morning for fresh air and a break. As luck would have it, we both were accepted to Case Western, Bill to Med School, me to Dental School. We roomed together first year and continued to support each other . I’ll always treasure the gift of Bill’s friendship. He was a once in a lifetime friend. Rest In Peace Bill.

Sunny Dhoopar

January 18, 2021

I still remember hugging him goodbye as I left back for Canada. Being an International graduate, my path to my dreams has been never ending. Dr. Smucker played a large role to shape me into the Doctor I am today. I am deeply saddened to know he is gone. My condolences to the family. Dr. Smucker, I hear our conversations in my head from time to time, as I am in patient care. I hope to live up to who you taught me to be.

Sally Bensinger Thress

January 18, 2021

To the Smucker family, I am so sorry for the loss of Bill. We are part of the class of 1970. His routine of Mad Daddy with Tom Miller aka Pork the Tork will be a memory of mine when I think of him. They were quite the pair. May God hold and keep you in His loving arms during this difficult time. God Bless

Kristi Thomsen

January 18, 2021

I was so saddened to see this obituary in the Gazette. Dr. Smucker was our first family doctor when we moved to Medina in the early 1980s. He delivered both of our children--our youngest was his last delivery. He was a wonderful, caring physician and, although I hated losing him as our personal physician, it seemed so right that he would become a physician-educator. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and students.

FROM THE FAMILY