Partners in life, Lester L. Smith and Roberta D. Wiley Smith shared a mutual dedication to making this country a better place for children and worked tirelessly on behalf of children through a partnership with the College of Education.
The Smiths understood the vital and important role educators play in children’s growth and development. Their gifts to the College of Education have enabled educators to assist children in avoiding risk-taking behaviors through creating safe, protective school climates. They also endowed the chair to research the prevention of youth violence and substance abuse and to develop effective prevention programs for schools and communities.
Lester L. and Roberta D. Smith have long been benefactors to the College of Education. Formerly of Peoria, Illinois, the Smiths have lived in Tucson for over 30 years. In Peoria, Lester was the owner and president of Home Comfort Products, a company that manufactured and sold wholesale aluminum and plastic products for homes. Lester is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Il. and holds an honorary degree from that university as well as from the University of Arizona.
Although never an educator, Les and Bobbie were strong supporters of education as a means to help young people make healthy lifestyle choices and steer clear of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. While in Peoria, Lester helped found the Youth Farm which was a boys’ home. Since living in Tucson, Les and Bobbie initially funded a Smith Prevention Project in the 1980s in conjunction with the University of Arizona College of Education. He is also been a long-time funder and supporter for the Smith Speakers Bureau in the U of A athletic department. In the late 1980s, Lester became disenchanted with the work and the accountability of the Smith Prevention Project in the College of Education and withdrew his funding. When Dean John L. Taylor came to the College of Education, Dean Taylor was able to re-engage the Smiths’ in the mission of the college. Dean Taylor’s proposal was to create an endowed chair in prevention and education rather than project-specific activities. Dean Taylor argued that having a person on the faculty with a strong, committed background in prevention and a community orientation would generate numerous projects that would facilitate the Smiths’ mission.
The Smiths provided additional support to the College. In 1999, as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Lester Smith challenged the Dean and the Board to raise $500,000 which he would match with a million-dollar pledge.
Not only was Lester financially supportive of College of Education activities, but he was also involved in the projects that he supported. He meant frequently with the Endowed Chair and was often seen in the halls talking to faculty and students. He was particularly impressed with Project SOAR and often would drop in on Friday afternoons when Project SOAR training occurred.
In addition to his support of the College of Education, he was a benefactor of the Sidewalk Sunday School in Tucson, the Methodist Church, and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Il., plus funding numerous other charities. Les was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a mason and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Shriners, The Jesters, Skyline Country Club, Christ Church United Methodist, plus many others.
Lester Smith passed away at the age of 90 in November of 2003.