Obituary of Josef Riley Smith

Obituary Josef Riley Smith passed away on October 7, 2019, lamented by his beloved wife, Susan, seven natural children, five stepchildren, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and dozen of friends and colleagues. Dr. Smith was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on October 1, 1926. He was graduated with a small class of seniors at Pine Bluff, Arkansas High School- friends with whom he maintained lifelong relationships. He enlisted in the in the US Navy, and was soon sent to study medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans. He took his internship at the famous Charity Hospital of that city. The young doctor went on to residency at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, and then to the faculty of the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. He practiced in Youngstown, Ohio for 5 years before moving to Tucson in 1979. He Group Health and ultimately founded the still-thriving Tucson Pulmonology practice. The Smiths were active in the cultural and charitable activities of our community. He will be missed by many. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josef Riley Smith, please visit our floral store.