Dr. James W. Smith, a long-time member of the Research Society on Alcoholism passed away recently.

He will be missed.


JAMES W. SMITH, was born July 20, 1928 in Seattle, Washington to Helen and
Jack Smith. Passed away peacefully at home in Burien, Washington on November
23, 2007.

A life-long Seattle resident, Jim graduated from West Seattle High School
and attended the University of Washington, where he received his medical
degree in 1953. After serving as a naval medical officer with the U.S.
Marine Corps, he returned to the Pacific Northwest where he established a
private family practice in Burien, Washington. In 1966 he left his family
practice to join Schick Shadel Hospital full-time as Chief of Staff and
later as Medical Director. During his 47 distinguished years at Schick
Shadel Hospital, he established himself as a pioneer in the field of
addiction medicine. He continued his work at the hospital until his death.

Throughout his lifetime of work in medicine, Jim held professional
memberships in the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), where he
served on the board of directors, as treasurer and member of several
committees. In 2006 he received its Annual Award for outstanding
contributions to the Society and to the field of addiction medicine. He was
also a member of the King County Medical Society, the Washington State
Medical Association, and the Research Society on Alcoholism. He was a Fellow
of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, the American Academy of Family
Practice, and the American College of Addiction Treatment Administrators.

Jim was a devoted and loving husband and father. He married Barbara Ann
Hansen in 1953. Together, they devoted the next 54 years of their lives to
their children and grandchildren. The family enjoyed summers and weekends
on their small farm in Enumclaw, Washington where they rode horses, raised
vegetables, tended bees and hosted many friends and relatives. In addition
to his dedication to work and family, Jim loved sailing, hiking, skiing,
tennis, golf and his house in Sancerre, France. Jim was an ardent supporter
of the UW Medical School. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed Husky football as
well as the Mariners and Seahawks. With broad interest in the arts, he
regularly attended the opera, symphony and theater with his wife. Above
all, he had a special passion for reading.

In his final days, Jim was surrounded by family. He lived those days with
the same dignity and grace that he lived each day of a life dedicated to
helping others. Jim is survived by his wife Barbara and children Lee Smith
(Laura Fife), Lynn Smith (Philip Knowles), and Walter Smith (Denise Chandler
Smith), and grand-children Tristan Knowles, Taylor Knowles, Chloe Knowles,
and Jessica Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at
the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, 17620 International Blvd,
Seatac - Seattle, WA 98188. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Dr. James
W. Smith Memorial Research Fund c/o The Schick Shadel Foundation (12101
Ambaum Blvd SW, Seattle, WA 98146), dedicated to pursuing the cure for
addiction through research, education and scholarships; or to the Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society (530 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109).

Contributor: Albert A. Pawlowski
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