Ross A. Smart, 87, passed away March 14, 2014, in Logan, Utah. He was born Oct. 2, 1926, in Montpelier, Idaho, the second of five children to Lyman and Juanita Winters Smart. He attended school in Montpelier and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1944. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946, and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1950. He worked as a geologist for the United States Geological Survey from 1947 to 1952. He attended Utah State University and completed his pre-veterinary schooling and then attended Colorado State University from 1953 to 1957 and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He married Darlene Wallentine in the Logan Temple on Dec. 28, 1953. Ross and Darlene were blessed with six children: Eric Smart (Patti), Marilyn Fisher (Kent), Carol Chambers (James), Allan Smart (Denise), Brian Smart (Karen), Diane Grant (Nathan). He has 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities, including Young Men's President, Scout leader, teacher, Bishop, High Councilor, Stake Executive Secretary, temple officiator, Logan Tabernacle tour guide and home teacher. After his retirement, he and Darlene served an LDS mission in the Philippines Cebu mission. In 1957 he began a 44-year career of teaching, research and service at Utah State University. He was recognized by his agricultural, veterinary science colleagues and students as he received the Mortar Board Top Professor in 1992, outstanding research award in turkey disease from the Utah Turkey Marketing Board in 1984, the Distinguished Service award from the Veterinary Medical Association in 1992, and the College of Agricultural Distinguished Professor award in 1993. In 1994, the Ross A. Smart Animal Diagnostic Laboratory was completed and dedicated on the campus of Utah State University. He had considerable input into its planning, construction and implementation. He was selected as a torch-bearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
He has three brothers and one sister, Lyman (deceased), Bruce (Dorothy), Grant (Lucille), Ruth Anne Hymas (Dee). He loves his family, his church, his country and his profession. He loved classical music, jogging and amateur artwork. Most importantly, he loved his family. They are the joy of his life. He loved to hug his children and grandchildren and lovingly ask, "Who loves you?"
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, in the Eastridge Ward chapel, 1350 Eastridge Circle, Logan. A visitation will held prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and on from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St., Logan. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ross A. and Darlene Smart scholarship fund in the school of Veterinary Medicine at Utah State University are encouraged. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.allenmortuaries.net.