Ronald E. Smith '62

Ronald Emerson Smith, age 79, of Tampa, FL, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace, FL.

He was born February 15, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio. He enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 1960 and volunteered for Submarine duty while still attending high school in Vallejo, California and served aboard the USS Pampanito SS-383. After his stepfather who was serving in the USAF was transferred to Everux, France, he obtained an educational deferment from the reserves in order to complete his high school education. After graduating from Dreux American high school in 1962, he returned to the United States and re-entered the Navy and volunteered for Radarman Class “A” School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Radar school, he reported for sea duty aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid CVS-11 and completed two tours of duty to Vietnam.

After his first tour to Vietnam, he returned to the United States and on December 10, 1966 in Newport News, Virginia married his soul mate for life, Linda Sue Strawser who preceded him in death July 20, 2002. He retired from General Telephone of Florida in 1993. In October 2004, he became a volunteer usher at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and also did volunteer work for LifePath Hospice in Tampa, Florida. He was a life member of the American Legion, life member of AMVETS, and life member of the Former Crew Members of the USS Intrepid.