Robert Smithwick Memorial Service Set For April 19

Expecting big crowds for the public memorial service to Robert C. Smithwick, organizers have turned to what is probably the most appropriate venue for the occasion—Foothill College's  Smithwick Theater.

A public celebration for the life of the "Father of Foothill-DeAnza College District" is scheduled for Friday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in the Smithwick Theatre.

Dr. Smithwick passed away in his sleep on March 22 at the age of 92 in his home overlooking the college in Los Altos Hills.

He was a founding trustee of what was first called the Foothill Junior College District, chairman of its first publicly elected board in 1957, and served for nearly 35 years, according to the Foothill-DeAnza College District.

He also served several terms on the board of the Fremont Union High School District while living in Sunnyvale, where he practiced pediatric dentistry for many years. After living in Los Altos for several years, the Smithwick family moved to Los Altos Hills in the mid-1960s, into a home overlooking Foothill College. 

Dr. Smithwick is survived by his children, Cathye and Mike. Aileen, his wife of 60 years, preceded him in death in 2003.

He is credited with shaping the college district in its early years and embedding values that are found in the colleges that are found today. Dr. Smithwick had remained active in the major activities of the college district up until the last years of his life, attending graduations and tenure receptions.

"His family and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District welcome all who knew Dr. Smithwick to gather in his namesake theater at Foothill College to honor his memory," said a statement announcing the public memorial. The usual parking fee for the college's parking lot will be waived for those attending the memorial service, it added.

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District serves residents of Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Sunnyvale and parts of San Jose.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to:

The Foothill-De Anza Foundation, 12345 El  Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022  (or https://secure.entango.com/donate/fhda)

The Palo  Alto Rotary Annual Charities of the Rotary Club of Palo Alto, P.O. Box 592, Palo Alto, CA 94302 (http://www.rotarypaloalto.org).

--

Don’t Miss a Thing in Cupertino!

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Subscribe to our newsletter