Dr. Smith was a member of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at Colorado State University from 1965 through 2005.  He engaged in teaching and research in Mechanical Design, Dynamics, Vibrations, Mechanics of Materials, Fracture Mechanics and Continuum Mechanics throughout that time undertaking both theoretical and experimental methods. He served as Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department for twelve years, Associate Dean for Research of the College of Engineering for eleven years and Interim Dean of the College for two years. 

He is a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a Centennial Medalist of both the ASME and the American Society for Engineering Education and has received numerous additional awards and recognitions throughout his career. 

Dr. Smith’s consultantships were in the areas of Applied Fracture Mechanics, Failure Analysis and Mechanical Design with the following:  Martin-Marietta Corp.; Battelle, Columbus; U.S. Army Missile Command; Ball Brothers Research Corporation; Idaho National Engineering Laboratory; FMC Corp.; Coors; Los Alamos National Laboratories.,

As a researcher and educator, he was PI or Co-PI on over $30 million in contracts and grants. He is author or co-author of over 100 journal articles, conference papers, invited papers and reports.  He served as major professor for 16 PhD students and 36 MS students.

• Ph.D. 1966, University of Washington

• M.S.M.E. 1963, University of Washington

• B.S.M.E. 1961, University of Washington