Roll Call Tribute

David Ray Smith 

September 24, 1949 - July 28, 2024 

Dr. David Ray Smith, 74, of Arnold, MD, passed away peacefully in his sleep while vacationing with family in Corolla, NC on July 28, 2024.

He was born in Louisville, KY to the late James Randall “Smitty” Smith and Beulah E. (Ray) Smith. He is a very proud alumnus of these Catholic learning institutions, also in Louisville – Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Xavier High School (Class of 1967) and Bellarmine College (now Bellarmine University, Class of 1971). He studied math while a member of the Cardinal Section at Bellarmine and participated in U.S. Air Force ROTC through a reciprocal program at University of Louisville. After graduating from Bellarmine, he completed graduate studies and obtained his PhD in meteorology at Texas A&M University in 1979. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a first lieutenant at Vandenburg AFB in southern California. He forecasted weather for missile launches on both coasts and was deployed to Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and Wallops Island in the Atlantic. A friend from Vandenberg AFB recalls his recorded weather reports always ending with “Watch out for weathermen on bicycles” – a nod to his renowned and hilarious sense of humor.

Upon completing his military service, Dr. Smith became an Assistant Professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. His passion and true calling was to serve as a classroom teacher, and he also co-directed a NSF-funded teacher enhancement program focused on meteorology. In 1987, he moved to the Annapolis, MD area, where he spent the rest of his professional career teaching at the United States Naval Academy (USNA). As a proud veteran, this was a wonderful opportunity to combine his military experience with his love of teaching.

During his tenure at USNA, he taught a variety of meteorology courses in the Department of Oceanography and directed 56 student research projects which addressed a variety of topics in meteorology and climate. He led the department as its associate chair for 16 years and chair for seven years, working tirelessly to hire quality instructors and staff and keep the Oceanography Department curriculum challenging and relevant to the needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. To further pursue his interest in pre-college teacher development, he co-founded and co-directed the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Maury Project. Under his leadership for 26 years, the Maury Project team trained more than 600 teachers in physical oceanography, who then peer-trained more than 20,000 other teachers across the U.S., its territories, and nine other nations worldwide. Throughout his career, Dr. Smith served in several key positions, including Commissioner of Education and Human Resources for AMS. His awards include recognition as a Fellow of the AMS in 1996, the 2018 AMS Charles Franklin Brooks Award, the 2009 USNA Civilian Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, three Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Medals, and the Navy Civilian Superior Service Medal. He retired from USNA in 2014 after 26 years of service to that institution, but the honors and engagement continued even after leaving the classroom. His beloved Bellarmine University inducted Dr. Smith into the Gallery of Distinguished Graduates in 2021. He also served as the USNA junior varsity squash coach from 2017 to 2023.

While his professional and academic career is very impressive, David was also extraordinarily proud of his family, whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents Smitty and Beulah Smith, grandparents on both the Ray and Smith side (of KY), brother John Smith (of NC), father-in-law Clinton A. Killam (of MD), and nephew Christopher Clark (of KY). He is survived by many beloved family members, including Peggy Lynne Killam Smith (whom he married in August 1991); daughters Nicole Smith Worley (Steven) of Leesburg, VA and Andrea Smith Stilwell (J. Cody) of Goodlettsville, TN; grandchildren Dr. Julia Worley (US Naval Lieutenant Jack Muller) of Norfolk, VA; Samuel Worley of Brooklyn, NY; Emma and Ella Worley of Leesburg, VA, as well as Camryn, Kevin, Kylee, and Skylin Worley of Leesburg, VA; sisters Marilyn Smith of Johnstown, NY and Donna (David) Gentry of Louisville, KY; mother-in-law Lynne E. Killam of Annapolis, MD; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends who were like family. He was beloved and will be missed by many, including former students and mentees.

A celebration of life is planned for what would have been his 75th birthday – Tuesday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette (801 Stevenson Road; Severn, MD 21144). Visitation with the family will begin one hour prior. A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall at St. Bernadette. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Smith’s memory to St. Xavier High School, Bellarmine University, or Navy Squash at The United States Naval Academy (please input “Navy Squash” as the designation when prompted).

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with arrangements.