Dr. Eric Smith presents the inaugural Pi Chi Omega Award of Achievement to Kim Kelley Tunis during PestWorld 2017 in Baltimore, Md. PHOTO: PMP
Dr. Eric Smith, BCE, died April 3 peacefully in his home at the age of 81.
Dr. Smith was born on July 4, 1943, with a fascination for insects and nature by the age of just 4 years old, when he reportedly “plucked a bumble bee from the air to get acquainted,” per his obituary. His numerous contributions to the study of insects and the pest management industry are many, and his services were known locally and nationally. Dr. Smith was director of technical services with Dodson Brothers Pest Control for most of his professional career. He retired from the Lynchburg, Va.-based pest control firm in 2014, but remained a dedicated educator, trainer and consultant for many years thereafter.
He also was very active in industry fraternity Pi Chi Omega, serving as the editor for Pi Chi Omega: How a Business Fraternity for Pest Control Transformed the Industry, written by Pest Management Professional (PMP) Editor-in-Chief Heather Gooch in 2017.
“Eric was a great friend, mentor, and industry icon,” Kim Kelley-Tunis, vice president of regulatory and technical services for Nisus, told PMP. “He gave so much more than he ever received. For those who knew him, his absence will be felt for years to come.”
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Smith earned his doctoral degree at The Ohio State University in Columbus in 1973. He spent most of his adult life in Virginia, however, and leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Deborah Blanchard. He leaves behind many people who will miss his uniqueness, including his special niece, Danielle Butler, her husband, Jonathan Butler, his great-nephew and best buddy, Braxton Butler, sister-in-law, Jamie Waters, “Pal” Russell Anderson, and “Buddy” Donna Roberson.
The PMP staff sends its sincere condolences to Dr. Smith’s family, friends and colleagues.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Dr. Eric Smith first appeared on Pest Management Professional.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2024/04/09/in-memoriam-dr-eric-smith/
Sacramento CA
No comments:
Post a Comment