Obituary, Roger W. Smith

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PAWLING – Roger W. Smith of Quaker Hill in Pawling, NY passed away at home on May 11, 2015, surrounded by his family and his dogs, at the age of 75. He had kidney cancer.

Roger was born in Worcester, MA on January 13, 1940 to Howard and Edith Smith. The family moved to Pawling in 1946 when Howard joined the fledgling Pawling Rubber Corporation.

Roger attended the one-room schoolhouse on Quaker Hill for a number of years and then went to the Pawling Central School before finishing up his last two years and graduating in 1958 from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT. He graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, MA in 1962 and Columbia Business School in 1966.

He married Elizabeth Larson on October 9, 1965 at Christ Church on Quaker Hill. Several years later they bought their present house, near where Roger’s parents lived, where they raised their family.

Roger worked his entire career at Pawling Rubber Corporation (Pawling Corp), serving in a series of jobs including president for 30 years and chairman of the board for 25 years, a title he held at the time of his death. He was active in industry associations, serving on the board of the Rubber Manufacturers Association and as chair of the board of the Council of Industry. After his retirement, the Corporation was split into two companies with different family ownership and management. Each is doing very well and all employees get Roger’s trademark commendation, “Good Job”, from him.

He held many volunteer positions over the years. Most recently, he was president of the Quaker Hill Burial Ground Association and the West Mountain Mission. Earlier, he coached soccer, Little League and was the leader of Cub Scout Pack 34. In addition, he was president of Quaker Lake, Inc., the Quaker Hill Country Club and Pawling Rotary Club. He served as chair of the trustees of Christ Church on Quaker Hill and chair of the board of Dutchess Community College Foundation. He also served many years on the boards of Trinity-Pawling School, Guideposts and Pawling Savings Bank.

Upon his retirement, he became active in the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling and enjoyed being able to turn local history, via storyboards, into fund raising events. He recently completed work on a permanent outdoor historical storyboard located at the Quaker Meeting House on Quaker Hill. He also began work on other storyboards which will be completed by family members.

Roger loved his community and was always involved in projects to make it a better place to live. Sometimes leading, but often working quietly from behind, he made things happen. He treasured the comradery and friendship of those he served beside. With his dry sense of humor, Roger was also known for “giving roasts” when commending such partners at events.
He loved to travel and planned extensive family trips to historical US landmarks, often incorporating a lesson into the journey. In later years he favored tours to Europe, especially England, which he and Betty visited 5 times.

Roger was an avid sports fan, who could often be found watching baseball, basketball and golf — sometimes simultaneously. His first love was the Brooklyn Dodgers and it earned him the early nickname “Dodge.” He loved playing golf at the Quaker Hill Country Club and attended The Master’s golf tournament in Augusta, GA over 20 times.

Kind and generous, Roger was a devoted dog lover. Many times a day, he walked his labs around his back fields which border a beaver pond and the stream that he played in as a child. He would report back on the status of the beavers’ lodge construction and consumption of the branches he placed there for them. Before his illness, he and Betty fostered over 20 labs rescued from Tennessee shelters, giving them each a new life and future.

Roger adored his grandchildren and actively followed their interests and pursuits. He was kind and patient with them, teaching by example the importance of helping others. He was funny too. They called him “Pop-Pop.”

Roger is survived by Betty, his wife of nearly 50 years, his daughter Stacey Delamere and her husband Kieran of Sherman, CT and their children Katherine and Quinn, his son Todd of Pawling, and his son Jason and his wife Stephanie of Pawling and their daughters Susannah, Elizabeth and Rebecca. He is also survived by his sister Valerie Busby and her husband Bob, his brother Stephen and his wife Catharine, many nephews and nieces and their children, and his beloved and loyal rescued black labs, Dolly and Katie.

There will be visiting hours from 5-8 pm on Thursday, May 21 at Lankler Hall, behind Christ Church on Quaker Hill in Pawling, NY. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church on Friday, May 22 at 10 am, followed by a reception in Lankler Hall. His ashes will be placed in several places privately by family members.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Christ Church on Quaker Hill, 17 Church Road, Pawling, NY 12564.

“Good Job, Roger!”

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home,83 E Main St, Pawling, NY.

Author: Harlem Valley News