Robert Smock
Robert B. Smock, professor emeritus of sociology at U-M-Dearborn, died Feb. 25 in Plymouth, Mich. He was 80.
Smock taught and held senior administrative positions at U-M-Dearborn for 27 years and retired in 1990. He joined U-M-Dearborn as an assistant professor of sociology and director of the Center for Urban Studies in 1963.
He helped develop the sociology curriculum and taught a variety of courses in human ecology and demography, American social classes, principles of sociology, comparative religions, and personality and society. He was promoted to associate professor in 1965, and professor in 1968.
Smock’s research focused on demography, human ecology and urban sociology, and his publications included a monthly newsletter, “Metro Motown,” as well as a textbook on human ecology.
“He was able to integrate his ongoing research interests in the area of urban studies and created a dynamic classroom environment in which students had opportunities to study the process of urbanization as that process was actually occurring,” the regents noted in their memorandum naming Smock professor emeritus.
Smock was born in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Adrian College in 1946. He worked as a social worker, Methodist minister and research assistant before receiving his master’s degree in 1953 and doctorate in sociology in 1962, both from Wayne State University.
While in graduate school, he was associate director of the Detroit Area Traffic Study and played a major role in planning highway development in the Detroit area.
In addition to his teaching and research, Smock held major administrative positions at U-M-Dearborn during the late 1960s and early 1970s when the campus made the transition from a two-year college to a university.
“He was charged with the task of overseeing the academic development of the campus as it began this expansion,” the regents noted. “In this and other administrative assignments, Professor Smock was always willing to serve when needed, giving concrete evidence of his loyalty, resourcefulness and commitment to the campus.”
Smock also served as chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences, and at the time of his retirement was acting director of the Office of Institutional Research.
Smock’s body was donated to the Medical School, his final wish.
Smock is survived by his wife, Frances Wilson Villeneuve, whom he met as an undergraduate at Adrian College and married 42 years later. Other survivors include a brother, Dick; children, David, Mardi Black, John and Adam; stepdaughter, Trisha Stock; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sarbeth, in 1997.
A memorial service will be held in June in Plymouth. The family is gathering thoughts, memories and stories at www.smockfiles.com/rbs. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan at 103 E. Liberty, Suite 202, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104; or to the Greater Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at 20300 Civic Center, Suite 100, Southfield, MI, 48076.—Submitted by Terry Gallagher,
U-M-Dearborn
