University grieves death of graduate student, teaching assistant Nate Smith

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community is mourning the July 1 death of Nathaniel “Nate” Gene Smith, a doctoral student and teaching assistant.

Smith, of Lawrence, was nearing completion of a doctorate in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science. In addition to teaching, Smith advised and mentored students in the program. He was 38.

“On behalf of the entire KU community, I extend my sympathy to Nate Smith’s family, friends, and the colleagues and students to whom he was so dedicated,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little.

Smith was a research assistant in the Life Span Institute for a project on self-instruction for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His primary interest was in human services and staff management in programs for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In addition to belonging to many professional and campus organizations, Smith was a consultant for Sloan Publishing and a guest reviewer for the journal The Behavior Analyst.

“The department has lost a productive, engaging and generous scientist, scholar and colleague, whose promise marks a tragic loss to our field,” said Edward Morris, professor and chair of the Department of Applied Behavioral Science. “We extend our condolences to his family and friends, peers and mentors, and those whose lives he touched with sincerity, charity, good will and wit.”

A celebration of life will take place Sept. 6 near Smith’s hometown in Bay County, Michigan.