In Memoriam
April 16, 1942 – April 12, 2009
MELVYN L. SMITH, M.D., died on Sunday, the 12th of April, 2009, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Smith, family practitioner in Sugar Land, TX, was born on April 16, 1942, in Vicksburg, MS. Dr. Smith earned his BA degree at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, majoring in math and philosophy.
He was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship to study metamathematics in Germany at the University of Kiel. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School in 1969. He received an MS degree from the University of Alabama and Ph.D. from Rice University in the field of applied mathematics. Dr. Smith first practiced in Houston at the Acres Home Clinic with a clinical appointment at Baylor College of Medicine.
He entered private practice in Stafford, TX, later moving his office to Sugar Land, TX, where he practiced until February 2009. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians with membership in numerous professional organizations. He was interested in many aspects of healing, including alternative methodologies. He was awarded the Diploma of the Institute of Homeopathy by the British Institute of Homeopathy in 1995 and was certified in 1997 by the Council for Homeopathic Certification, serving for several years on the board of the council.
Dr. Smith, along with Dr. Karl Robinson, co-founded the Texas Society of Homeopathy. He served as one of its presidents and was active in the organization until his death. Dr. Smith’s pastimes included music of all types, singing with his barbershop quartet The Round Town Sound, playing guitar, studying classical mythology and metaphysics, sailing his Sunfish, enjoying the beauty and miracle of nature, and traveling with his family.
He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, the late Nell and L.C. Hutchins, and his father, the late Carl M. Smith. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Presley Smith, daughters Laura Elisabeth Smith and Kara Nicole Smith, and sister, Dr. Carleen Smith Leggett. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Dr. Robert E. Davis, Dr. Charles L. Conlon, the Houston Hospice, and especially Dr. Jyotsna Ayachit, his associate of 33 years, primary care physician, and family friend.
In lieu of usual remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in memory of Dr. Melvyn L. Smith be directed to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 (houstonhospice.org), The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 (nature.org), or a charity of your choice.
