Wendell V. Smith

Dr Wendell V. Smith, 87, a pioneer in the development of synthetic rubber, died January 8 at his home. Dr Smith was the husband of the late Virginia (Anderson) Smith and resided at 3 Nettleton Avenue, Newtown.

He was born in Caldwell, Idaho, April 16, 1912, a son of the late Orma and Ona (Vendervort) Smith. Dr Smith was a graduate of the College of Idaho and received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He was a member of Sigma XI Chemical Society.

He was employed for many years at the Uniroyal Corporation Research Laboratory at Wayne, N.J. and more recently at Uniroyal in Oxford. Many patents in the field of chemistry have been issued in his name. Dr Smith was an emeritus member of the American Chemistry Society.

Dr Smith was a member of the Newtown United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir.

He is survived by three daughters, Anne Dowling of Fairfield, Margaret Arighi of Oregon City, Ore. and Dorothy Martin of Lexington, Mass.; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held January 12 in the Newtown United Methodist Church with the Rev Terry Pfeiffer officiating. Interment was in Newtown Village Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482.

Arrangements were by the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

The Newtown Bee         January 14, 2000