William Gerard Smith, MD

William Gerard Smith, MD died on Saturday, September 30, 2006, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. A resident of Fallbrook, CA, Dr. Smith worked as a psychiatrist at the Perris Mental Health Clinic in Riverside County from 1944 through July 2005, when he became seriously ill.

Dr. Smith was born and grew up in Philadelphia. He completed high school and two years of college at St. Meinrad Archabby in Southern Indiana, then returned to Philadelphia, graduating from St. Joseph’s University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After a psychiatric residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital, he served in the Public Health Service in Lexington, KY. Other professional positions included Director of Research for the Illinois Department of Mental Health in Rockford, IL, followed by being Professor of Psychiatry and originating Head of the Department for the University of Illinois College of Medicine when they opened their Rockford campus. In 1985 he became the Director of the new Mental Health Unit at Chambersburg Hospital in Chambersburg, PA. Throughout the 45 years of his professional life he maintained an active clinical practice. His interest in research resulted in numerous publications in professional journals. In 1993 he and his wife Marilyn moved to Fallbrook, CA.

Dr. Smith was interested in golf, tennis, flying, photography, writing and making stained glass. He is survived my his wife of 47 years, Marilyn Fox Smith, daughter and son-in-law Cheryl and Charlie Dimont, son Gregory and two grandchildren, Sophie Dimont and Noah Smith.

His family requests that any donations be made in his memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (Research Fund), 1332 Halsted Street, Ste. 201, Chicago, IL 60622. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 28, at his home, following a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Fallbrook, CA.