GU community mourns the passing of former president Robert “Ish” Smith

Published: September 06, 2021

The Greenville University community is mourning the passing of former President Robert Ish Smith 57. Ish passed away at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, following a recent illness. He was 85.

Ish served as President of Greenville College from 1993-1998. Students from the Smith era remember him urging them to practice servant leadership, a hallmark of his tenure as president.

He was married to Joanna, who preceded him in death in 2018.

Ish came to Greenville College from Central College in 1955. GC Coach John Strahl tapped him immediately to help manage athletic teams and coach. Strahl later guided Ish to pursue a masters degree and then coach at Strahls alma mater, Taylor University. In 1961, Ish returned to Greenville to coach and head the physical education department. He seized additional administrative opportunities that came his way, and the opportunity to pursue his doctorate. Ish served with U.S.A and World baseball organizations from 1977 until 1993 and guided baseball into the 1984 Olympics.He was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame on February 11, 2019.

Please be in prayer for family members as they grieve. These include Cyndi Kay (Smith 85) Oglesby, GUs manager of alumni and church relations, and Chuck Smith 85.

Click here for more information about Ish, including service information.