Eugene "Gene" Smith

8 Oct 1939 – 26 Feb 2026

Gene Smith, 86, of Wake Robin Life Plan Retirement Community, Shelburne, VT, passed away on Feb 26, 2026 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT.

A native of Freeport, Long Island, NY, Gene was born on Oct 8, 1939 to Leonard D.B. Smith and Catherine (Kellett) Smith. He was predeceased by his parents and his two brothers, Stuart F. Smith and Lt. Col. Leonard H. Smith.

Gene completed his undergraduate work at Southern Illinois University and New Mexico State University. He received his doctorate in Neuropsychology, with training in research methods, at the University of New Mexico. Gene's career carried him across the United States and overseas, finishing as an esteemed professor at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Gene married Nancy Jean Bock on Dec 13, 1969 and remained devoted to her until her death in 2012. He also remained in close touch with her family throughout the years.

Gene will always be remembered for his wry wit, wonderful stories and sense of humor. When his health allowed, he volunteered his services to help run audio-visual presentations for the Education Enhancement program at Wake Robin and participated in a senior group at the Faith Methodist Church in So. Burlington, VT.

He is survived by many cousins who all shared fond memories with Gene of childhood days at Lake Winnepesaukee, NH. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marianne Fassett, nieces Carlene Fassett and Bettianne Small, and friends and acquaintances of the Wake Robin Community.

A private burial will take place at the Smith family plot, Greenfield Cemetery, Uniondale, NY.