Jan Smith Obituary

Jan Stuart Smith, a loving and generous person known for his wit and creativity, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026. Jan was born on July 14, 1943, in Addison, Michigan where his family had lived and farmed for generations.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Jan realized that getting up at 5 or 6 in the morning to milk the cows was not for him. Instead, he headed off to Antioch College where he found his love of Sociology and met his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Andrea.

In his senior year at Antioch, he was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, and then Jan went on to Princeton University where he earned his doctorate in Sociology. For 40 years, Jan was a Professor of Sociology at Ohio Wesleyan University (1977 to 2009) and the University of Pennsylvania (1970 to 1997). Jan spent his life enriching the minds of others and constantly sought to broaden his own understanding of the world. As a dedicated professor, Jan was always eager to learn and share his knowledge with others. His curiosity was insatiable, and his love for learning was infectious. He was known by colleagues for collegiality and for the breadth and depth of his intellectual interests.

After retiring, Jan discovered Sanibel Island, Florida, and he and Andrea spent many happy years wintering in their house on Sanibel and spending the warmer months in their long-time home in Delaware, Ohio. From drives through the Ohio countryside with his daughters to find the most interesting road names, including favorite Bean Oller Road, to long-walks on the Sanibel beaches and wildlife preserves with Andrea to watch birds and wildlife, Jan never lost his love of exploring.

Jan was a multi-faceted individual, with interests that ranged from classical music, particularly Scarlatti harpsichord music, to baseball and birding. He was a dedicated Tigers fan who would listen to the WJR broadcast on summer evenings. Jan was also an avid reader, with an appetite for world economics, politics, sociology, philosophy and more. His love for tribal and Kashki rugs was well-known among his friends and family, showcasing his appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship. Jan's involvement in various organizations such as the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health Board, the Beth Tikvah Interfaith committee, and the Sanibel Current Events group, demonstrated his commitment to his community and to causes close to his heart. After retirement, he continued to make a meaningful impact in his community by delivering Meals on Wheels once a week for many years.

Jan is survived by his wife, Andrea Smith; his daughters, Jessica Brown and Rachel Chermside; his grandchildren Benjamin and Genevieve Chermside and Ruth and Henry Brown, his sons-in-law, Marshall Brown and Michael Chermside; as well as his brothers Phillip Ferris-Smith and Curtis Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Ruth Smith and his brother Erick Smith.

His love for his family was paramount, and throughout his life, spending time with family, including his niece, nephews and numerous cousins brought Jan joy. Jan's legacy of love, generosity, and intellectual curiosity lives on in his family and in the countless lives he touched throughout his life.

Jan is also remembered by all for his wonderful and irreverent sense of humor, warmth, and empathy. He could always break any tension with well-intentioned joke. His daughters remember his warm smile, hugs, and how his ability to bring a smile to their faces when they were feeling down.

A service to celebrate Jan's life will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. EDT at the Congregation Beth Tikvah, located at 6121 Olentangy River Road, Worthington, Ohio, 43085.

We invite you to share your memories of Jan and upload photos to the memorial page. Please help us keep his memory alive by sharing your stories and pictures.