Elbridge Smith

ELBRIDGE MILTON SMITH, of 115 Madison Terrace, Cobleskill, NY, [2572 Lemon Road, Apt. #806, Honolulu, Hawaii] died Sunday morning, December 7, 2008, in Honolulu. In his 96th year, he is survived by wife Edna Wright Smith, a son Elbridge Wright Smith and wife Diane Akie Smith, a daughter Priscilla Smith Davis and husband Ronald, and three grand children: Elbridge Zenichi Smith, Meredith Kameko Smith, and Kyle Alan Davis and wife Katrine.

Elbridge M. was born March 18, 1913 to Carrie Martha Stockburger and Elbridge Thomas Smith in the Bronx, NYC. The family moved to Highland Mills, NY where his father farmed for several years. He attended a rural one-room school, Highland Mills Elementary and Central Valley Union Free School. After receiving his High School Regents Diploma in 1931, he entered Brothers College, Drew University, Madison, NJ graduating in 1935 with a BA degree in Economics and Sociology. The following fall he entered the State College for Teachers, Albany, NY, earning Certification to teach high school English and Social Studies; in 1939, he received an M.A. in Education Administration, from SUNY Albany; and in 1955 received his C.A.S. from Syracuse University.

In 1936 he taught at Alfred University's Collegiate Center, Dunkirk NY, followed by high school Social Studies in Bay Shore, in Cornwall, and in Port Jervis, NY until 1943. While at Port Jervis he taught senior American History and designed a speed test for eighteen year-olds soon to be eligible for the military. He conducted Sunday Services at the Methodist Churches in Unionville and Westown.

In 1943 Elbridge completed MP Basic Training and attended Military Govt. School and serving as a Sgt. in Cadres at several Army Posts throughout the U.S. In Jan. 1945 he was shipped overseas to Hawaii for jungle training and Censorship duties. His unit then augmented the Tenth Army Headquarters Censorship Group in the Okinawan Invasion where he received a Bronze Battle Star. Following Japan's surrender he was transferred to the U.S. Occupation Forces Hdqrts. where he assisted Army Officers and NCOs for discharge. As a group, they taught classes in a wide variety of subjects ranging from English as a Second Language, to Farm Crop Raising, to American Literature and Medieval Art -- based on the tons of USAFI text materials en route from the U.S. He also taught a Regional Literature Course then received his Honorable Discharge at Fort Dix, NJ on March 17, 1946.

Elbridge accepted the position as Instructor of English and Social Studies at the Institute of Agriculture and Home Economics at Cobleskill, N.Y. He resumed work on his M.A. at Albany State and in August 1946 he moved with Edna to Cobleskill to join the SUNY faculty. He taught various courses in the General Education Division and then the Liberal Arts & Sciences Division, serving as Chairman of each successively. He was Advisor to both the newly emerging Hill Whispers newspaper and the college yearbook The Voice, which was dedicated to him in 1964. He retired in 1981 as Professor Emeritus.

Over the years he has been active in Methodist Church service as Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, Trustee, Council member, and Conference Delegate in Highland Mills, Cornwall and Cobleskill. Having been a Star Boy Scout, he served as Assistant Scout Master and Troop Committee Member for many years. As an educator he organized chapters of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Two-Year College Honor Society, first at SUNY Cobleskill and, after retirement, four chapters in Hawaii and in American Samoa; he served as national officer from the Mid-Atlantic States. Elbridge was President of the NY State Association of Two Year Colleges and Editor of their Journal. During more than 50 years as a Rotarian he became a Paul Harris Fellow and President of the Rotary Club of Cobleskill. He was a founding Trustee and volunteer of the Iroquois Indian Museum at Howes Cave, NY. His other active memberships include Town, County and State historical societies; Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) national delegate from Hawaii State Society; the Schoharie-Leatherstocking SAR Chapter Empire (NY) State Society; VFW; National Education Committee Chairman of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants; and a member of the Pilgrim John Howland Society.

Following retirement Elbridge and Edna retained residency in Cobleskill, NY, but winter each year in Hawaii, maintaining continuing activity, Church, and friendships in both.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church with Rev. Pam Mikel-Hayes officiating. Inurnment will be in Edna's family plot in the Fort Plain, NY, Village Cemetery, in the spring. A private family service will be held in Hawaii. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elbridge & Edna Smith Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Fund at SUNY Cobleskill, Iroquois Indian Museum, or Cobleskill United Methodist Church.