David G. Smith

David G. Smith, Professor Emeritus of political science and senior research scholar at Swarthmore College died on Thursday night, September 28th, at White Horse Village, Newtown Square, PA. He was 96 years old.

Professor Smith taught constitutional law, jurisprudence, American government and public policy, and health policy at Swarthmore College for 39 years, beginning in 1953 until his retirement in 1992. He served as chairman of the political science department at Swarthmore for 17 years and was a friend and mentor to many Swarthmore students. He wrote two books on political science and constitutional law early in his career.

Professor Smith became interested in the field of health policy later in his career and wrote four books about Medicare and Medicaid reform, including the definitive history of the Medicaid program, entitled "Medicaid Politics and Policy" with Judith Moore, now in its second edition. He received grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National Science Foundation to study the politics and history of Medicare and Medicaid. He was a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and a board member for many health-related organizations. He was tapped during the Clinton administration to consult on the Clinton health care plan and was regarded as an expert in the field of "entitlement politics" which was the title of one of his books. He also wrote on the Children's health insurance program (CHIP). Professor Smith and his wife, Eleanor Smith, retired to White Horse Village nearly twenty years ago where he was involved and active in many community activities.

Professor Smith was born on October 10, 1926 in Norman, Oklahoma. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Oklahoma University and his PhD from John Hopkins University. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Smith, his children, Alison and Joel Smith and their spouses, Alan Haigh and Rosemary Smith, his stepchildren, Laura Houston and Stan Gergen and their spouses, Neil Pennington, and Lisa Gergen and five grandchildren: Ari Smith, Jenna and John Houston, Sylvia Haigh, and Chase Martini.

A memorial service will be held at White Horse Village on November 11th at 11 a.m. In remembrance of David's life, charitable donations may be made to the Chester Children's Chorus, 500 College Ave. Swarthmore, PA, 19081 or the David

G. Smith Internship in Health and Social Policy for Students, Swarthmore College, Attention Gift Records,500 College Ave. Swarthmore, PA 19081.

Arrangements provided by Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home.  15 E 4th Street Media, PA 19063

www.haganfuneralhome.com