Obituary - Dr. Frederick Smiley April 13, 1942-Dec. 26, 2022

Dr. Fred Smiley, 79, passed away Dec. 26, 2022, in San Francisco, California, from complications from Multiple Systems Atrophy.

Dr. Smiley was born April 13, 1942, in Marysville, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claire and Lester Smiley, and a sister, Claire Combs.

He graduated with an A.A from Yuba City College and transferred to Chico State in where he earned a B.A. (English) in 1966. His graduate education included M.A. degrees from Chapman University (Education -1973; English-1978; and Special Education-1982). During these years, he taught English and coached basketball at several high schools. After completing a doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in 1992 from Oklahoma State University, he earned tenure as a Professor of Education and Special Education at Cameron University (Oklahoma), Carthage College (Wisconsin) and Montana State University-Northern (Havre). At these universities, Dr. Smiley taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate education teacher preparation courses. In addition, he published academic articles, wrote many grants and was an invited speaker and presenter, established an online journal, and won a series of awards in recognition as professor-of-the-year for his student and community-centered efforts.

As a tenured professor, he was known for having an open-door policy for any student looking for assistance - whether they were working on a final assignment or requesting editing assistance. Dr. Smiley had quick-witted humor, fierce determination to promote literacy, and was driven by perfection.

On his retirement in 2018 from Montana State University-Northern (2008-2018) he returned to his beloved San Francisco, where he began his retirement years full of excursions to the opera, concerts and the excitement of viewing the waterfront from his condominium overlooking San Francisco Bay. He immediately volunteered his skills in teaching English as a Second Language at a nearby city library and promoting a "book club" at a local senior citizen's center, along with publishing two more books of poetry.

Dr. Smiley, was an accomplished poet, publishing two books of poetry, "Windshield Refrains: Paths and Journeys," (2009) and "Shelter Moments; People, Places and Things" (2021). These works offered the reader a variety of thought-provoking vignettes of life's diverse adventures.

Those who knew him well will remember Dr. Smiley for his commitment to the learning of his students and to his commitment to excellence. He supported all his teacher education students; his passion was to see them achieve their dreams as confident teachers and proficient learners. Their successes brought him great joy. He had a special love for his work with students beginning their career in education and supporting their professional and personal achievements. Dr. Smiley's life's work was dedicated to developing and supporting aspiring educators who were beginning their teaching careers.

To his closest friends, Fred will be fondly remembered for the many excursions made together, even when, at time, the outcomes left us all asking why the hell we thought this was a good idea to try. Those memories will last a lifetime and will be remembered by all with joy and admiration.

"A Professor's Personal/Professional Journey" https://drfredsmiley.com should be viewed as a gift from Fred to all aspiring and seasoned educators. Fred's journey is a unique as it is special. We will miss Dr. Smiley and wish him well on his new journey.

Fred's request in lieu of a funeral service was to have people thank a teacher for their service to students, communities and country.