Page 27 - WNS 2022 Program Book-Final version

He left UCSD in 1981 to set up what was to become a very successful
private practice at Sharp Memorial Hospital, while retaining a clinical
teaching appointment at UCSD. He was passionate about teaching
and he continued this well after he retired from clinical neurosurgery in
1993. He famously smashed his pager at his retirement dinner as a
symbolic untethering from being on call for 28 years. Despite retiring
from regular practice, he did continue some operations as well as reg-
ular teaching right up to 2004, and his roles in organized neurosurgery
just got even busier.
At the State level, Dr. Smith was a co-founder of the CANS, which has
grown to become the largest State Neurosurgical Society. Like the
WNS, he served on the board in many roles, including being its Presi-
dent. The CANS turns 50 in 2023 and Randy was to give his talk this
year as a run up to the birthday celebration. His talk “50th Anniversary
Thoughts & Observations from a CANS Raconteur” surely would have
been full of deep insights as to how our profession has changed, laced
with his anecdotes and wit. We could only wish he’d do the same in
2024 when the WNS turns 70.
At the National level, he was Vice-President of the AANS, but elected
in the most unusual fashion. Rather than the votes customarily going
to the candidate selected by the AANS nominating committee, Randy
was elected by grassroot members and ballot. He was adored by fel-
low colleagues who didn’t mind being challenged or even admonished
by Randy.
He famously did not suffer fools lightly, abhorred mediocrity and had
an instinctive way of spotting the work horse from the show horse.
However, his criticisms and suggestions were always taken seriously,
and all knew it was coming from a vast vat of experience and heart.
He was inevitably right, and the organization would surely and steadily
be steered back on course.
Dr. Smith has had too many Lifetime Achievement and Distinguished
Service awards to mention here, but he has been a recipient of these
from most of the above mentioned societies. He even has an award
named after him, the Randall Smith Distinguished Service Award,
from the CSNS. Appropriately, the award was created to emphasize
the exceptional effort a person makes in the organization.
We have lost a fabulous friend and colleague, a great mentor and
father figure. His passing does mark an end to an era for the WNS.
However, his legacy will continue. With the agreement of the Smith
Family, the Executive Committee has recommended the creation of
the Randy Smith Lectureship. This will be discussed at the Annual
Business Meeting and we look forward to Dr. Abou-Samra’s tribute to
Randy Smith at our Formal Dinner.
Dr. Smith leaves behind a strong and beautiful family: Florence, his
wife of 58 years; eldest son Stephen, his spouse Marina, and children
Peyton, 10, Gavin, 8, and Kellen 5; daughter Christine and her spouse
Chad; youngest son Michael and his partner Athena. We are honored
th
that Flo will be our guest of honor throughout the 68 Annual Meeting
and she is accompanied by Dr. Christine Smith, WNS member and
her husband, Mr. Chad Prey.
27
