Clifford Charles Smith, PhD, 69, died peacefully on Thursday evening, October 31, 2013, at Hock Family Pavilion within the services of Duke Home Care & Hospice in Durham, NC, following a long battle with prostate cancer. Cliff was born in Cuyahoga County, OH to the late Charles J. and Lois Hopkinson Smith on October 14, 1944.
Cliff was a three-time Purdue University graduate, with a B.S. 1966, M.S. 1968, and Ph.D. 1974 all in electrical engineering. At Purdue, Cliff was a member of Phi Kappa Psi where he built friendships that endured throughout his life. Cliff taught graduate school courses in engineering technology at Purdue University North Central, Portage, IN. Cliff’s professional life took place in the steel industry at what is now Arcelor Mittal formerly Inland Steel in East Chicago, IN, where he retired as a Research Scientist. In retirement, Cliff pursued avocations reflecting his love of numbers, statistics and probability, including professional poker and building a probability teaching device, patterned after the Mathematica model that had been installed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL.
Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sarah A. Smith lately of Durham, NC, previously of Beverly Shores, IN; his daughter, Sarah Christine Smith of Raleigh, NC; his son, Adam Clifford Smith and wife, Carla, of Indianapolis, IN; his sister, Barbara Margraff and husband, Frank, of Avon Lake, OH; and his nephew, Ted Margraff, also of Avon Lake, OH.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 9th from the Chapel of the Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St. in Durham, NC. A reception to celebrate Cliff’s life will follow at 4:30 p.m. at Tobacco Road Sports Café. Additional details posted at www.hallwynne.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Duke Home Care & Hospice, http://dhch.duhs.duke.edu/make-donation, or the Prostate Cancer Foundation, www.pcf.org.
On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Beth & Terry Gassoway
November 4, 2013 at 12:00 amOh, Sarah, my dear friend…we are saddened by the news that your funny, romantic, wonderful husband has left this earth, and you, so soon. I wish there were words of comfort that would ease your grief. If there were, I would say them to you a thousand times. I can tell you that you & Cliff have been an inspiration for me in a number of ways. One,your curious, adventuresome spirit, your frequent road trips just for fun, and especially the way you each honored and respected each other and spoke adoringly of the other. You chose well and nurtured the relationship. you were and are blessed. Fondly, Beth & Terry
John and Janet Partenheimer
November 6, 2013 at 12:00 amSarah –
We are so sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing. I always respected his smarts and cheerful disposition. He was a great guy.
Love,
John and Janet
Gerald and Connie McClure
November 7, 2013 at 12:00 amDear Sarah,
How sadly we received the message of Cliff’s passing. How gladly we embrace the fond memories of each visit with you. A wonderful, vibrant, unique and precious person was Cliff, always with the proverbial,mischievous twinkle in his eyes. We pray our Lord will give you His peace that passes understanding and embrace Cliff with all the joy that heaven holds until you hold him again.
All our love,
Gerald and Connie McClure
Larry & Pam Jacobson & Zach Lee
November 8, 2013 at 12:00 amSarah and Family, May God’s comfort and peace and strength be with you during this time and in the upcoming months. Cliff was a wonderful man; funny;and ready to try and do anything. Sarah, Sarah and Adam were blessed to have him as a husband and dad!
Linda Anderson
November 8, 2013 at 12:00 amSarah, Sarah and Adam,
My very deepest condolences to you all at the loss of your wonderful, funny, husband and father. You are all in my thoughts and prayers but know that you are surrounded in spirit by the affection of so many in your loss.
Love,
Linda Anderson
Frank and Diana Zamora
November 8, 2013 at 12:00 amWe will miss you Cliff at our family gatherings. We will miss you when we play cards, and your interesting stories and your knowledge of many subjects. You will be greatly missed.
Diane Umstead
November 8, 2013 at 12:00 amSo sorry your dad has passed on, Sarah. I wish I’d known him, yet feel I do through you. Sending much love and light to you and your mom and brother. Hugs, Diane
Jackie Quirk
November 8, 2013 at 12:00 amSarah and family,
I am so glad that Cliff’s last hours were peaceful. He was so warm and friendly and his intelligence and humor shined through when we played bridge with him at Linda’s house. A vibrant man and adoring father. My thoughts will be with you tomorrow and in the future. Jackie