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M/SUNNY Temp: 69 °F Wind: ESE at 5 mph Monday, September 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 14, 2003 Former Ashland High Principal ‘Snuffy’ Smith: ‘He’ll be missed’ Well-liked school official worked in Ashland for 34 years By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Longtime Ashland High School Principal Gaylord William "Snuffy" Smith, 77, died Monday at Rogue Valley Medical Center. He led the school from 1957 until 1985 and was employed by District 5 for 34 years. "Once you went to work for him, nobody ever left," said Bud Silver, vice principal at the school during Smith’s tenure. "That speaks quite a bit for him. Everyone liked him." Smith and Silver were friends from their days at Southern Oregon College, now Southern Oregon University, in the late 1940s. They worked together throughout their careers, which began at Ashland Junior High School. Smith taught at the high school for several years before becoming principal. "He was a true advocate for young people. He’ll be missed," said Silver. Advertisement A 1985 Mail Tribune article on Smith’s retirement revealed that he earned the nickname "Snuffy" because he looked somewhat like the famous newspaper comic strip character "Snuffy Smith" created by Billy DeBeck and Fred Lasswell in 1934. Former student Jerry Hauck, who later worked under Smith as a basketball coach and teacher, said he could both discipline and support a student. Smith’s ability to discipline was shown in several incidents. He denied a student with a 3.98 grade point average the right to speak as co-valedictorian after she sipped beer at an honor society picnic in 1979. Another time he punished one of his sons for violating a rule against leaving campus "When he saw good in someone, he really pushed to get that out of them," said Hauck. "He was the teacher’s dream of a principal, and also a coach’s dream. He was extremely supportive." Smith almost had tears in his eyes when Ashland’s basketball team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 44 years during his last year as principal, Hauck said. Smith was a standout on three of Southern Oregon College’s best football teams from 1946 to 1948, said Rich Rosenthal, SOU sports information director. He was inducted into the school’s sports hall of fame in 1995. Smith played left halfback and defensive back. He scored the winning touchdown for a 9-7 victory over the Oregon State College junior varsity team in 1946 when the Raiders went 8-0. The team won Far West Conference championships all three years that Smith played. He also played baseball and coached the sport at the high school and for the American Legion. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Smith earned a teaching degree at SOC and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He was born March 1, 1926, in Grants Pass and graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1944. He is survived by his wife, Patricia J. Smith of Ashland, a daughter, three sons, two brothers and a sister. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times