Dr. Bruce Garfield Smith
Dr. Bruce Garfield Smith, 88, formerly of Arkansas
City, died Dec. 15, 2008, at Kansas Christian Home in Newton.
Bruce was born Jan. 4, 1920, in Pawnee Rock to
Garfield and Mary Ann (Bruce) Smith. They preceded him in death.
He graduated from Pawnee Rock High School and
Southwestern College with a chemistry degree in 1941, a member of the Order of
the Mound.
In 1944, he graduated from The University of Kansas
Medical School, gaining membership in Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honors
Society. Other residences include two years at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Rhode
Island; one year internal medicine in Portland, Ore.; and post graduate work at
Cornell Division, Bellevue Hospital in New York, N.Y. Bruce served in the U.S.
Navy.
He married Dorothy Dunbar on Dec. 25, 1942, in
Winfield. The family returned to Arkansas City, where Dr. Smith practiced
internal medicine from 1950 to 1986. During those years, he served on several
boards of directors, including the Association of American Physicians and
Surgeons, Kansas Christian Home, Blue Cross and Arkansas City Memorial Hospital
(SCKRMC). After retiring in 1987, he served as interim administrator of the
hospital.
Dr. Smith was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed
hunting and fishing with his sons and friends. He also enjoyed ranching and
farming, he was an independent oil producer, was active in politics, and was a
private pilot. Dr. Smith was a longtime member of the Disciples of Christ
Church in Arkansas City and later in Newton, serving the church in many
different capacities and enjoying the varied activities.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, of the home;
two sons, Dr. Stuart Smith and his wife, Margo, of Warrensburg, Mo., and Dr.
Stephen Smith of Marion; one sister, Gwen Zimmerman of Kansas City, Kan.; six
grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
He also was preceded in death by a son Aaron Bruce;
a daughter Monica Lynn; and sisters, Juanita Geil and Virginia Fry.
Funeral services were conducted Friday at
Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City, with the Rev. Gary Bell of First
Christian Church in Newton officiating.
Burial followed at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in
Arkansas City.
Arrangements are through
Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Online condolences may be made at
www.rindt-erdman.com
