On the U.N. International Day of Peace, Hofstra University hosted a memorial for Professor Emeritus Timothy Smith in the Helene Fortunoff Theater at Monroe Lecture Hall. Smith passed away at age 84 on Aug. 4, 2018. Sept. 21 was always an important day for him, as he was a force in the fight for world peace, both locally and globally.

With 43 speakers, consisting of Smith’s friends, family, students, neighbors and other loved ones, the memorial lasted over five hours, starting at 5 p.m. and continuing past 10 p.m. Over 130 people were in attendance to celebrate his life, but even more were remembering him across the globe. 

“Messages of love for Tim have been received from around the world because Tim’s presence touched so many people near and far … Tim showed us that as a global citizen, we cannot quietly watch the struggle of others with indifference, but instead, use our words and actions to benefit all of humanity,” said Renato Matos ’04, ‘08, the moderator of the memorial. Matos was a student on the European Odyssey trip in 2001 and has been friends with Smith and his wife, Linda Longmire, a professor of political science in the global studies and geography department at Hofstra, ever since.

Smith first joined Hofstra’s faculty in 1963, serving as the chairperson of the department of foundations of education for 11 years and the director and coordinator of the master’s program in foundations of education for 22 years. Smith retired in 2004, became a professor emeritus and has continued to serve the Hofstra community as an adjunct professor in the global studies department since 2011. Smith also directed Hofstra’s European Odyssey program, a 10-week minivan adventure across Europe. 

Lara Van Patten, a senior global studies and political science major attended the Odyssey program in 2017. “[Smith’s] intellect, insight and pure kindness made everything about the Odyssey better … also his driving,” Van Patten said. 

Smith brought many together in both laughter and tears, as he was a beloved member of many communities. Pat Brieschke, writer, former Hofstra professor and very close friend of Smith and Longmire, told a story about her first day visiting the campus.

 “When we got to the top floor of Axinn Library standing there at a gape of windows, he draped one arm over my shoulders and with the other gestured out over the campus, over Hempstead and beyond, and said, ‘It’s not perfect, but you’re going to love it here.’ He was right,” Brieschke said. 

Smith not only had a passion for Hofstra but for the local community as well. Ron McManus, Smith’s neighbor in Hempstead, spoke to this choking back tears, “Thank you, Tim, for being my friend,” and then he let the tears flow. “Thank you, Tim, for being my professor … thank you, Tim, for bringing us all together … I love you, Tim Smith, and I will not be afraid to show it,” he said. 

“He poured water on me and put me in the sun to help me grow. And that’s Tim Smith’s contribution to all of us. So that’s it. We should celebrate his life, and we should clap,” McManus said. 

Brieschke ended her speech with a story from the end of Smith’s life. “Sipping tea from a mug that said, ‘Cancer sucks,’ [Tim] said, ‘I sure as hell don’t want to go, but if I have to, I’m going straight through that door standing tall. No lingering, no burdens left behind.’”