Welcome to the memorial page for
Jerome Smith
June 8, 1931 ~ March 30, 2019 (age 87) 87 Years Old Leave a Condolence
Message from Dave Kenny
April 4, 2019 1:22 PM
Jerry was my friend for 40 years. He was my golf partner for many years. He introduced me to the joys of drinking wine and reading detective novels. He tried to talk me into playing poker, but I declined as I knew he would just take my money. We often talked economics, politics, and religion. He passionately loved the University of Connecticut, especially his Psychology Department and the Lady Huskies. He was a big fan of the football Giants and we watched the Giants win two Superbowls, defeating my Patriots. He was a family man who cared for his mother for decades and was devoted to his wife, son, and grandchildren. He was like a Jewish Uncle to all of my children. I will miss him dearly.
Message from Debby Fein
April 3, 2019 6:58 PM
Hi, David and Myriam. All I have to do is look at Jerry's picture to feel a tide of warmth and sadness. All I can say is that there have been about 5 people in my life who represented sanity, balance, and wisdom to me, and Jerry was one of them. It was such a pleasure to work with him, and then to see him at faculty parties every year. I always felt I could ask him anything and get a wise answer, and I did so on numerous occasions. He was so very attached to and proud of all the generations of his family, and such a wonderful mentor figure to all of his colleagues. I will miss him very much.
Best - Debby
Deborah Fein, Ph.D.
Best - Debby
Deborah Fein, Ph.D.
Message from David Miller
April 3, 2019 5:32 PM
I first met Jerry and Myriam when I came to Storrs in 1980 to interview for a faculty position. One of the most exciting times of my life was when he called me to offer me the position. From that point on, Jerry was, as I viewed him, my savior. He gave me the best advice ever (pension plan, things to avoid, etc.), and he was the most supportive person who I really felt who was on my side during his tenure as Department Head. I trusted him hands down. Even when I did weird things like consider doing a protest in my large classroom due to lack of cool air and ventilation, by showing up only in jogging shorts, I first ran that idea past Jerry, who I felt would assuredly would talk me out of it. Nope; He continued to talk me into it! (And, I did it.) He supported me and my research in ways beyond imaginable, and even in his retirement, I was so glad to provide tech support for him and Myriam on their Apple devices and felt to gratified when they contacted me for such help. It's so sad that he died shortly after moving to California, but my memories of him will remain with me forever. Jerry, in a word, you were awesome, and I'll never forget that.
Message from Charles Blaich
April 3, 2019 4:56 PM
My heartfelt condolences go out to Jerry's family.
I met Jerry in the 1980s when I was a graduate student at UConn. Although I knew that he was the department chair, I got to know him when I took one of his classes. I always had questions for Jerry about the ins and outs of different learning theories. He was so patient, and took time to answer there, whether I asked in class or in his office after class. He took my questions seriously. He never seemed rushed or like he had some place that he would rather be.
Since no good deed goes unpunished, I asked Jerry to be on both my thesis and dissertation committees. I was fortunate that he agreed. He was always thoughtful, supportive, and, in the best possible way, challenging. I can still remember the question he cooked up for me on my qualifying exams about learning, evolution, and hedonism.
I was fortunate to have met and worked with a number of wonderful mentors while I was at UConn – David Miller, Kent Wells, John Greene, and, of course, Jerry Smith. Jerry taught me the importance of being generous, patient, and present, and of taking young people seriously. Along with David, Kent, and John, Jerry has stayed with me in the many years since I left UConn in the way I try to do my work and in the stories I tell. Thank you
I met Jerry in the 1980s when I was a graduate student at UConn. Although I knew that he was the department chair, I got to know him when I took one of his classes. I always had questions for Jerry about the ins and outs of different learning theories. He was so patient, and took time to answer there, whether I asked in class or in his office after class. He took my questions seriously. He never seemed rushed or like he had some place that he would rather be.
Since no good deed goes unpunished, I asked Jerry to be on both my thesis and dissertation committees. I was fortunate that he agreed. He was always thoughtful, supportive, and, in the best possible way, challenging. I can still remember the question he cooked up for me on my qualifying exams about learning, evolution, and hedonism.
I was fortunate to have met and worked with a number of wonderful mentors while I was at UConn – David Miller, Kent Wells, John Greene, and, of course, Jerry Smith. Jerry taught me the importance of being generous, patient, and present, and of taking young people seriously. Along with David, Kent, and John, Jerry has stayed with me in the many years since I left UConn in the way I try to do my work and in the stories I tell. Thank you
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