Roger Stanley Smith

Roger Stanley Smith, 74, of Flat Rock, died peacefully May 7, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is a native of Charleston SC. Roger attended Exeter Academy on a scholarship awarded to outstanding students and news paperboys. It changed his life, paving the way to Harvard University, Univ Texas Law School, Bread Loaf School of English, and Oxford University.  After practicing law in NYC, he became a teacher, coach and college counsellor.  He spent his summers sailing and traveling the world.

Roger enlisted in the US Army after graduating from Harvard, serving in Vietnam and Germany, where he worked for the POLAD (political advisor) to the commanding general of US Army Europe in Heidelberg. He read German newspapers and summarized news for commanders.

Always an outdoorsman, Roger ran cross country in college and twice ran in the NYC Marathon.  He continued to cover ground in retirement, hiking trails in NC and wherever he traveled, until shortly before his death. Roger was a frequent volunteer for the Hunger Coalition, on the Board for the University School of the Lowcountry, and was the Moderator at First Congregation Church of Hendersonville.

Roger is survived by his wife, Maralee McMillan, of Flat Rock, two sisters, Christine Infinger of Goose Creek, SC, and Nancy Oliver of Summerville. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia O’Leary, of Beaufort, SC.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 2 at 2 PM at First Congregational Church, 1735 5th Ave. W, Hendersonville, NC 28739. Memorials can be made to the Roger Smith Memorial Concert Series, First Congregational Church. The fund has been established to bring musicians to our community for annual concerts in his memory.

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