RICHMOND, Aug. 25 – Maynard Putney Smith, a well-loved and respected Richmond physician, died on Friday, August 21, 2009 at the age of 94.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Mary Helen Young Smith; four children, Barbara Smith-Moran and husband, Jim of Concord, Mass., Harrison Smith of Earlysville, Elizabeth Hankins and husband, Glenn of Ocean Springs, Miss., and Eleanor Wellford and husband, Tenny, of Richmond; six grandchildren, Susan and Michael Moran, Putney Smith and Cary, Ty, and Beth Wellford, and his faithful sidekick “Mr. Kitty Kat.”

Born in Farmville on October 31, 1914 to James Weldon Smith and Myrtie Alice Putney Smith, he was the youngest of five children, outliving his three brothers and sister.

After graduating from Randolph-Macon College he completed medical school at the University of Virginia in 1938. He completed his internship at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, and his residency at University of Maryland (Mercy Division). In 1943, he became board certified in Otolaryngology; 31 years later he also became board certified in Allergy and Immunology. He began his ear, nose, and throat practice here in town with Drs. Fowlkes and Wellford before setting up his own practice on Monument Avenue. Dr. Smith received postgraduate training at Johns Hopkins, Tulane, Yale, Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and Ohio State University. He was a clinical instructor at MCV from 1942-1955 and served as Chief of the Residency Training Program in Rhinology there from 1955-1968. He was Clinical Professor Emeritus in MCV's department of Otolaryngology.

Dr. Smith was a member of numerous medical societies and served as Chief of Staff of the Richmond Eye and Ear Hospital, where he also served as past President of the Board of Trustees. He was also past President of the Virginia Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. He was published in the Virginia Medical Monthly, the Laryngoscope, and the Journal of Otolaryngology. In 1963, he received the Golden Headmirror Honor Award for meritorious sharing in the service of Rhinology by the American Rhinologic Society. In 1997, Dr. Smith was recognized at the International Rhinology Centennial in Philadelphia for his distinguished contributions in the service of Rhinology. He loved nothing more than treating his patients, which is why he continued to do so for more than 20 years after most of his colleagues had retired.

He strongly believed in the value of a good education and encouraged his children to take advantage of the fine schools in Virginia. When he was not at the office, he was at home working in his yard or workshop which housed at least one of every Craftsman tool ever made. He also enjoyed summer vacations on the Rappahannock River. He was a member of the Country Club of Virginia and The Commonwealth Club. A lifelong Methodist, Dr. Smith was a member of Reveille United Methodist Church.

The family will always appreciate the compassionate care given to him by the hospice team of St. Mary's Bon Secours Hospital.

There will be a graveside service at Hollywood Cemetery on Thursday, at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary St. Rd, Richmond, VA 23221 or Randolph-Macon College, College Advancement Office, P.O. Box 5005, Ashland, VA 23005.