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In Memory of Fred Smith Fred Smith came to work for DePaul Family Services in May 1996. At that time, DePaul did not have a Clinical Services program but Fred had decided after researching the different agencies in the area that he wanted to work for DePaul. He asked that we create a way for him to work with children and families. Thankfully, Sue Bentley and Herb Beskar listened and Clinical Services began. Fred was a unique person who became a social worker after being a dentist and a farmer. Fred had a skill for negotiating a way to make things happen and could bring people together to accomplish a goal. Fred gathered supplies and donations to purchase basic dental equipment, which he took to Nicaragua. There he trained local women to perform basic dental care. He did this at a time that made it a risk to his own life but Fred believed in strengthening families on the local and global level. He believed that by improving the well-being of a group of people, the human family was strengthened. Fred liked to tell and write stories. He used his stories to illustrate a point and to bring people gently around to new insights about themselves. He showed a great deal of respect for people and the dignity of each person. He honored a person’s history as a part of what made him or her unique and he delighted in uncovering the story behind each person. He was a very honest, accepting, and genuine person. His gentle, accepting way of approaching people made him an excellent therapist and friend. In June 2000, Fred stopped working at DePaul because it was becoming too physically demanding due to his Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He continued to come by for visits and send emails, but they became less and less frequent as his pain increased and his ability to sit and carry on a conversation diminished. On July 26, 2006, Fred’s battle with pain ended. As someone I spoke to that day said “Fred is not in pain anymore but the rest of us are.” He will be missed more than words can say by those of who were privileged to know him. |