WWII veteran was also veteran philanthropist

TulsaWorld: WWII veteran was also veteran philanthropist
The Tulsa oilman was a major supporter of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and OSU.By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer
Drilling for oil kept his attention focused on the ground, but Sherman Smith's spirit showed a definite upward tilt.

The Tulsa oilman and philanthropist, who was a major financial contributor toward the development of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, became interested in aviation during World War II.

A member of an Army glider unit who also was trained as a paratrooper, Smith had parachuted into France after the D-Day invasion in 1944.

After the war, Smith became a licensed pilot and flew recreationally for a few years.

The interest found its ultimate fulfillment, however, in the part Smith played in the museum and the effort to preserve Tulsa's rich aviation history.

Smith was the major donor behind the Hangar One Museum, which opened in November 2005 at the Air and Space Museum, which is named for him and his wife, Ellie Smith.

A member of the Air and Space Museum's board of directors, Sherman Smith also contributed to the adjacent planetarium, which opened in 2006.

"We're so happy that the Air and Space Museum has done so well and for the school kids who get to visit," said Sherman Smith's son, Will Smith. "Early childhood education is one of our family's charitable missions, and it has been a wonderful vehicle for that."

Sherman Edward Smith died Monday. He was 88.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian under the direction of Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home.

The longtime president and CEO of Service Drilling Co. of Tulsa, which his father had co-founded, Smith became as well-known for the wellspring of his generosity as for the oil wells that made it possible.

A 1948 Oklahoma State University graduate and member of its college of engineering's hall of fame, he donated millions of dollars over the years to his alma mater's academic and athletic programs.

Smith often was mentioned in the same breath as fellow donor, oilman and alumnus T. Boone Pickens.

The pair, who were Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers at OSU and business associates for decades afterward, contributed $1.5 million each in 2005 toward the renovation of OSU's football locker room and the construction of new grass practice fields. Sherman Smith followed that two years later with a $20 million donation toward the development of an indoor practice facility for the school's athletic teams.

Will Smith said his father's support of the athletic program should not, however, overshadow his interest in academics and the funding he set up for engineering scholarships.

"That was critically important to him," he said, adding that his father also donated toward the engineering program at the University of Tulsa.

Also in Tulsa, Sherman Smith and his family were longtime supporters of the Gilcrease and Philbrook museums, the Tulsa Boys' Home and The Salvation Army.

Smith is survived by his wife, Ellie Smith; one son, Will Smith; one daughter, Susan Burghart; two stepchildren, Stanley Hall and Nancy Born; one sister, Wilma Arnold; two grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum, The Salvation Army or a charity of choice.