Lester Smith
May 4, 2013
So today we gather to honor the memory and legacy of this man- my father, Les Smith, “Green Pasture” Smith as he was known during his working years- to celebrate his life, and for part of my time today, to focus on the fraternity he loved. His life touched us all ... in ways we may not fully realize … his kindness, generosity, his wisdom, and his goodness- strong, steadfast, and true ...
But what makes a person the way they are … what circumstances … what combination of factors … is it fate … is it destiny … is it genes? … Whatever the immediate reason, I like to think it is God’s hand at work …
Today I will share my perspective on a few of those factors that helped shape the person he would become … One of the most important, without question, was the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
Dad in his heart, and in his soul was a farmer, and he exemplified all the best qualities of a farmer … self-reliance … work ethic … frugality … strength … confidence … he was independent … he was patient … he was generous … Always had a kind word … He thought the best of people … He loved his family, his church, his community, and his country, And he loved his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho.
There is something about farming … working the land to earn a living, I believe, that nurtures these qualities … The cycles of work, the cycles of life.
There’s the steady rhythm of the daily cycle … early to rise … feeding animals … tilling the soil … the well-earned rest at day’s end … The farmer learns the importance of reliability, discipline, and perseverance …
And there is the cycle of the seasons … at once predictable, yet still mysterious … The farmer learns the importance of commitment, of steadiness … but also learns that to survive he must be creative … And he learns to love nature, and his community … He understands that ownership means stewardship … that freedom means responsibility.
Then there are the cycles of the weather … Its risks and uncertainty … too much rain … too little rain .. hail … insects and disease … an early, killing frost … this gives farmers respect for a higher power … God almighty … Some call this humility.
But these cycles also are a source of hope and faith … No matter how bitter and cold the Winter … life will be renewed by the reassuring warmth of Spring.
Necessity, conviction, and courage create action … Actions create habits ...And habits create character … Dad was a man of character … I feel Dad’s way of living is well described by a label he acquired from his work- Green Pasture Smith. The label described Dad’s pure motives and principles- always focused on doing his part to make this a better place to live, whether it was research and education applied to agriculture, or seeking the best from his family and others. I never wavered in my respect for his solid foundation and highly regarded the standards he lived by. Dad wanted me to do my very best … whether I was a student, a soldier, or in the work world. He wasn’t flashy … he was a man of substance. His word was his bond. He was dependable and loyal. What you saw … what you heard … is what you got. But all our testimonials are but a pittance compared to the years of dedication doing his duty as a husband, father, neighbor, friend, mentor, or as professor in the field of agriculture. Dad did his job and I now want to speak for a moment about a legacy our family has established to honor his memory.
Once facing the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, Dad understood the financial demands of a college education. Though times today are challenging for college students, dad always felt Alpha Gamma Rho could be a man’s ticket to lifelong success.
More than 75 years ago, Dad had little to no resources for attending college at the University of Maine. In his sophomore year, he was forced to live in what has been described as a chicken coop near the campus. One morning he headed into the woods for a hunting trip where he unexpectedly met several AGR members. He emerged from his trip with many new AGR brothers and a job in the chapter’s kitchen that would pay his way through college.
Dad retired from Purdue University and his lifelong achievements can, in large part, be credited to that hunting trip in 1933 where his lifelong commitment to AGR began.
In honor of Dad’s lifetime commitment to inspiring excellence, our family has created the Lester Smith Scholarship to offer financial assistance to deserving AGR undergraduates at the University of Maine and Purdue University.
The scholarship -current total principal has now grown to approximately $10,000- will award approximately $3,000 to a recipient selected in the fall of 2013 and will be applied toward the 2013-2014 school year. Perpetuation of the scholarship beyond three years will be determined at a later date. The National AGR Educational Foundation in Kansas City will distribute the applications and determine a selection committee.
Dad was initiated into the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity on January 14, 1935. If I can condense from AGR’s website, the purpose of AGR is to make better and broader men in the field of agriculture focusing on improving their mental, social, moral, and physical development through fellowship in a national fraternity. He received his bachelor's degree in 1937 and his master’s degree in 1938 at the University of Maine. He began his career as a lecturer in agronomy for the University of Vermont in 1938. With the help of a Hoods Dairy Scholarship, he began working on his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. In 1954, he was hired by Purdue and retired in 1979.
The scholarship and Dad’s legacy are to encourage men to turn to AGR for the connection to a broader world of agriculture and a lifetime of professional success. But what will recipients of his scholarship do with this legacy? Will they make a difference in the lives they touch? Will they make a difference in our society and our great country? That’s what dad really lived for … to cause us to make a difference.
We love you and miss you, Dad. We know you are with the Lord.
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