Mr. Symuel Harold Smith

SYMUEL HAROLD SMITH was born June 1, 1922, in Tampa, Florida to the late Annie Bell White and Lee Otis Smith. Symuel was educated in the Tampa school system. Upon graduating from Middleton High School, Symuel studied at Florida A&M, Fisk University, and subsequently St. Louis University where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance. Symuel continued to pursue higher education and matriculated at the Washington University School of Medicine where he received his Master's Degree in Hospital Administration. Symuel also served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War" and was deployed overseas in the Philippines, New Guinea and Japan. In 1946, Symuel married Willietta Hodgins, now deceased. The two first met at Middleton High School in Florida, and coincidentally became reacquainted many years later in New York after both graduated from college. Symuel pursued a career in hospital administration. He was a senior executive at various hospitals, including Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, and Flint Goodridge Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he completed his residency. In 1968, Symuel became the first Black Administrator of a New York City Hospital as Executive Director of Morrisania City Hospital in the Bronx, NY, where he instituted many health services for the local community, including opening a $4.7 million state of the art Family Care Center. His many accomplishments include Fellow of the American Public Health Association and President of the National Association of Health Services Executives. In 1974, Symuel was recruited to Michigan as the Executive Director of the Wayne County General Hospital, and subsequently, Detroit General Hospital. In 1978, Symuel was recruited to Wisconsin as Director of Institutions and Departments for Milwaukee County. He remained in this capacity until his decision to step down and pursue entrepreneurial interests. Symuel was a member of several social service, academic and professional organizations. As a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Symuel embodied the organization's objective "to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood". He was also a member of the NAACP where he was honored as Man of the Year in 1971. Symuel's accomplishments were often the subject of articles that appeared in publications such as Black Enterprise, Jet, Ebony, and Who's Who Among Black Americans. Symuel was an avid gold, tennis and football fan. He also loved enjoying time with family, and he loved to engage in lively current events discussions. He was very humorous, well-read, positive, and creative. Symuel reached his 95th birthday on June 1, 2017, which was a milestone he looked forward to reaching. On June 5, 2017, he departed this life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Otis Smith of New York and Annie Bell White of Florida. Symuelleaves to celebrate his extraordinary life, daughters, Cynthia Sartin, Racine, WI; Celeste (Isaac) Booker, New York, NY; Carmen (Calvin) Burtin, Milwaukee, WI; Ivy Grant of New York, and one sister, Cynthia Bradley, Philadelphia, PA. Left to continue his legacy are his five grandchildren Anthony Sartin, Denise Sartin, Noelle Burtin, Christian Burtin and Tyra Booker; seven great-grandchildren, as well as his many nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored.

Mr. Symuel Harold Smith

June 1, 1922 - June 5, 2017