James R. Smith ’55

James R. Smith ’55, of Erie, Pa.; Oct. 20. While at Brown, he majored in English literature, played on the football team, and engaged in the ROTC program with plans to become a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He became a pilot and served in both Korea and Vietnam, achieving the rank of Major USAF, and upon completion of his Vietnam duty he was given the assignment of command pilot for Gen. Graham Commander, U.S. Forces in Japan. This assignment moved Jim and his family to Japan on a three-year tour ending in 1970. His final duty was at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, where he ran their flight simulator training program. In 1976, after 18 years in the military, he retired and moved to Erie, where he took a job with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a territory representative. During his 24-year career at Pfizer, he was honored with their Vice President’s Council award. He retired in 2000 and enjoyed playing golf and traveling. He is survived by four sons, a daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law, and a niece and three nephews.