Harold F. Smith

Harold F. Smith, 88, Parkville, Missouri, a librarian and historian, died Friday, February 17, 2012, at Clarebridge at the Sweet Life of Brookdale, Overland Park, Kansas. Dr. Smith had been a Librarian since 1950 serving at several Midwestern state universities before becoming Library Director at Park College from 1964 to 1990, at that time becoming Librarian Emeritus and Archivist. "Smitty" was a Park College graduate and strong supporter of the Alumni Association and the Friends of the Library.

Dr. Smith had been active in a number of professional associations both nationally and locally. He was especially proud to be associated with the American Library Association, the Kansas City Area Archivists, the Midwest Archives Conference, the Oral History Association and both the Kansas and Missouri Historical Societies. He was a member and past president of the Platte County Historical Society. He was active in the Kansas City Posse of the Westerners (past sheriff), the Civil War Roundtable of Greater Kansas City and was an early member of the Oregon/California Trails Association. For a number of years he was active in promoting the National Frontier Trails Center in Independence.

Dr. Smith was a member of the Parkville Presbyterian Church and had been active in its Boy Scout Troop 333. He had served on Nominations Committees for the Heartland Presbytery as well as the Synod of Mid-America.

Dr. Smith had received a baccalaureate degree from Park College in 1944, a Master of Fine Arts degree in History from the University of Kansas in 1946. He earned a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Denver in 1950, a Ph.D. degree from Southern Illinois University in 1963, and training at the National Archives in Washington, D. C.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Jo (Douglas) Smith; sons Douglas Smith and his wife Ginger of Salt Lake City, Utah; Alan Smith and his wife Kesty of Boulder, Colorado, and Gregory Smith and his wife Mary of Shawnee, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 1:45 p.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Parkville Presbyterian Church, Parkville, Missouri.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to:

Odyssey Hospice

8735 Rosehill Road

Lenexa, Kansas 66215

or

Parkville Presbyterian Church

819 Main Street

Parkville, Missouri 64152

or

Friends of the Park University Library

8700 NW River Park Drive

Parkville, Missouri 64152