Jeffrey Lynn Smith, having lived a full, successful and happy life, passed away too soon Jan. 25, 2014, just a few days shy of his 63rd birthday. Jeff was a decorated Vietnam veteran honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at the age of 20. A scientific intellectual, Jeff received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley and earned his masters and doctorate in soil science from Washington State University.
After a post-doctorate appointment at Berkeley, he returned to Pullman as a soil microbiologist and was employed with the USDA Agricultural Research Service on the WSU campus from 1986 until 2013. Jeff was an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Crops and Soil Sciences, where he lectured, advised and was a tireless, committed mentor to numerous graduate students. Their professional and personal success was his most prized accomplishment.
Jeff was nationally and internationally acclaimed for his research and writing on carbon and nutrient cycling and global climate change - he was talented and inventive in the laboratory. In 2007, Jeff was recognized for his scientific contribution to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Jeff is survived by Colleen Harrington, his partner and wife of 33 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Jeremiah and Christi Smith; his grandson, Brady Smith; and granddaughter, Chloe Chartoff. He was a loving and supportive, husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. A true friend and mentor, Jeff was loyal, funny and kind-hearted. What greater legacy can a person leave?
Jeff's memory would be honored by a donation in his name to the Whitman County Humane Society's Canine 2 Building Fund. A private celebration of his life will be held with family, friends and colleagues.
Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.kimballfh.com.
