Discovering the Lasting Legacy of Wesley Dale Smith and the Family That Shaped Him

I discovered Wesley Dale Smith while researching classical scholarship that continues today. I was impressed by his intellectual depth and calm family life. He was born in Ely, Nevada, on March 26, 1930, and relocated to Seattle with his family as a child. He attended public schools and obtained a BA in classics from the University of Washington in 1951. He earned a master of arts in 1953 and a doctor of philosophy in 1955 at Harvard University. His dissertation investigated Euripides Suppliants’ dramatic structure and technique.

He started teaching classics at Princeton in 1955. But his plans changed rapidly. After his student visa expired, he joined the Navy. He ran Virginia naval recruit high school classes from 1956 to 1958. He proudly claimed to have overseen the state’s first racially integrated school in later years. He returned to Princeton in 1957 and stayed until 1961, when he joined Penn. He steadily advanced from associate to full professor at Penn. After retiring in 1996, he became emeritus. He oversaw graduate studies and was university ombudsman, which fit his sense of justice and fairness.

Smith published scores of academic publications. His early concentration was Greek tragedy. 1950s and 1960s articles examined Hippolytus staging and Alcestis sarcastic frameworks. While studying medical imagery in tragedy, something changed. This took him deep into Hippocratic texts. His influential work The Hippocratic Tradition was published by Cornell University Press in 1979. The book debunked Hippocrates misconceptions and investigated how Galen created his image. Reviewers commended its elegance and rigor. He edited and translated Hippocrates Epidemics volumes 2-4, 5-6, and 7 for Loeb Classical Library in 1994. This brought lesser-known books to light. In 1989–1993, he edited the Society for Ancient Medicine newsletter, adding computer technology and thorough bibliographies. These advances elevated ancient medicine in classical studies.

His thinking connected old insights to present questions like a bridge. Smith challenged norms. He revealed how cultural biases shaped health and disease judgments across centuries. He loathed academic politics and hierarchies, according to colleagues. Mentorship and clear thinking were his priorities.

It’s remarkable how his personal life reflected this equilibrium. Smith married Lois Arlene Humbert, later Lois Smith, on November 5, 1948. Eighteen was her age. They met in college. Around 1951, the couple went to New York City to support her acting and his academic career. On February 8, 1958, they had their only child, Moon Elizabeth Smith. They divorced in 1970 after 22 years of marriage. Lois had an unforgettable 80-year career in films like East of Eden and Tony-nominated plays. Her parents, William Oren and Carrie Davis Humbert, and siblings, Alice Marvelle, William Dilman, and Phillip, died. At 54, her father died in 1950.

Smith began a new life after divorce. He wed Karen Faulkner. Anthony Smith was their son. From a previous relationship, Karen added Josh Olson, her son. Smith leaves his former spouses, daughter Moon, son Anthony, five grandchildren, and Josh Olson. Moon Elizabeth Smith is highly private. Public records mostly discuss her parents. Open sources lack employment and family specifics.

Family and passions were always linked with Smith. The American West remained his passion. While raising his kids, he planned westward road excursions every few years. Journeys took different paths. The family explored caverns, hiked mountains, including partway up Mount St. Helens after its eruption, and visited historical and archaeological sites After reading Little House on the Prairie to his six-year-old son, he took a remarkable journey. The adventures converted regular miles into life lessons. History and narrative merged.

Smith lived with standard poodles. Each received personal training. Mariette Selene Argus and Gus became well-behaved pets in various places. His bass voice was excellent, and he sang in the Philadelphia Chorus for over 30 years. He kept playing squash until his 70s. He studied ceramics and painting at Community College of Philadelphia before retiring. Later in life, art became his passion.

He died of respiratory failure at home in Philadelphia on June 23, 2018. He was 88. Cathedral Village hosted a memorial service on August 3, 2018. The burial was private.

Family Members Introduced

Let me lay out each family member with the details I gathered.

Lois Smith former spouse Born Lois Arlene Humbert on November 3 1930 in Topeka Kansas. Married Smith in 1948 divorced in 1970. Renowned actress with roles across stage film and television. Mother of Moon Elizabeth. Came from a family of five siblings all now deceased.

Moon Elizabeth Smith daughter Born February 8 1958. Only child from the first marriage. Maintains a private life with limited public information available.

Karen Faulkner second spouse Married after 1970. Mother of Anthony Smith. Survived Smith and shared memories of family road trips and his artistic pursuits.

Anthony Smith son Born during the second marriage. One of the surviving children listed in obituaries.

Josh Olson stepson Son of Karen Faulkner from a previous relationship. Included among survivors.

Five grandchildren Names remain private but their presence underscores the multi generational impact of Smith’s life.

Here is a clear table summarizing the immediate family.

To make the chronology vivid I compiled this table with dates and events drawn from verified records.

Smith’s life outside the classroom revealed a man who embraced experience fully. His poodles were more than pets. They were trained companions that reflected his patience and discipline. Singing in the chorus brought musical joy for over three decades. Squash kept him active and competitive. Later ceramics and painting allowed creative expression after years of textual analysis. These pursuits show a person who valued both intellect and hands on living.

His road trips west stand out as a central metaphor for his approach to life. Just as he navigated ancient texts with curiosity and precision he guided his family across vast landscapes. Each stop became a lesson. Caves held geological stories. Mountains offered physical challenge. Historical sites connected past and present. These journeys strengthened family bonds and passed on a sense of wonder.

FAQ

Who was Wesley Dale Smith in simple terms?

Wesley Dale Smith was a professor of classical studies born in 1930 and active until his death in 2018. He taught Greek and Roman literature with a special focus on ancient medicine. He balanced a long academic career with two marriages and a love for family adventures.

What role did Lois Smith play in his life?

Lois Smith was his first wife from 1948 to 1970. They met in college and raised daughter Moon Elizabeth together. Her acting career ran parallel to his scholarship creating a household that mixed performance and study.

How many children did Wesley Dale Smith have?

He had two children. Daughter Moon Elizabeth from his first marriage and son Anthony from his second marriage. He also had a stepson Josh Olson and five grandchildren.

What made his work on Hippocrates important?

Smith examined how later writers shaped the image of Hippocrates. His 1979 book and 1994 translations clarified the texts and challenged myths. This helped modern scholars view ancient medicine with fresh eyes.

Did military service influence his later views?

Yes. His Navy years from 1956 to 1958 involved creating an integrated school environment in Virginia. He often spoke of this experience as a source of pride and a foundation for his commitment to fairness.

What hobbies brought him joy in retirement?

He pursued ceramics and painting at community college. He continued singing squash and caring for his trained poodles. Family road trips remained a highlight even after the children grew up.

These details paint a full picture of a scholar whose life extended far beyond lecture halls. His family stories his publications and his personal rituals all connect into one coherent narrative of curiosity and connection.