Stanley (Stan) Smith felt lucky during his life. As a child growing up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he had a family that loved him and allowed him to grow, and as an adult, he had a family whom he loved who allowed him to continue to grow. He thought that being a husband, a parent, and a grandparent were the most rewarding things he did. He also loved to travel and thought that travel was the “great educator.” He was proud to be a Muskogee Rougher and Oklahoma Sooner. His family will always remember him cheering for the Sooners, drinking Diet Coke and listening to country music.
Dr. Smith enjoyed a 44-year career teaching in higher education. He held a Ph.D. in Business Administration degree from Arizona State University and M.B.A. and B.B.A. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He retired as Professor Emeritus of Finance at the University of Central Florida. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Vaasa and the Hanken School of Economics in Finland and Aarhus University in Denmark and held positions at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Emory University; Arizona State University; and at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where he also taught at the Ft. Carson Army Base, Ent Air Force Base, and the Colorado State Penitentiary. Dr. Smith published in leading journals in finance, banking and real estate finance. His works were quoted or cited in national and international publications, on television, and in many U.S. newspapers and business journals. He appeared in the Orlando Sentinel over 100 times as an expert on financial and educational topics.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marianne Smith of Deland, FL, and his children, Emily Schiff and husband Adam of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Cari Smith and fiance David Milbrandt of St. Johns, FL, grandchildren, Tyler Schiff, Whitney Schiff and Victoria Milbrandt, a brother, Stephen Smith and wife Lisa of Alpharetta, GA, and his family, and many cousins and in-laws, particularly Sue and Mike Kuzmik. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Thelma (Barnett) Smith of Muskogee, OK, and his sister, Stefanie Smith Calaway, of Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of his many relatives and friends that are affected by cancer, to your favorite university or educational program to fight ignorance, or any worthy organization.
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