The following article is transcribed from the Edmonton Journal of  October 27, 1928:

Medical Chief of Royal Alexandra is Stricken Suddenly

Friends in City Stunned by Sudden Death of Pioneer Doctor Who Took Prominent Part in Civic, Hospital and Church Life

Pioneer doctor, ex-alderman and a most popular citizen, Dr. H.R. Smith, aged 55, who for the past seven years was medical superintendent of the Royal Alexandra and Isolation hospitals, died suddenly at 4:30 Wednesday afternoon. His passing came as a shock to medical and hospital circles as well as to others in all parts of the province, while friends in this city, where he had lived for 25 years, were stunned by the news.

Taking ill at his home at 12525 104 avenue on Sunday, Dr. Smith was found to have a sever attack of erysipelas. His condition became more serious on Monday and at midnight he was removed to the Royal Alexandra hospital, where everything possible was done to combat the severity of the attack. On Wednesday he had an extremely high fever and failing to shake off this and the resultant effects, succumbed at the time stated.

Popular Citizen

Ever since his coming to Edmonton, Dr. Smith took a most prominent part in its civic, hospital and church life. Of a pleasing personality and ready courtesy, he was held in high regard by all with whom he came in contact, while he was beloved by those who came to know him as a friend. All members of the hospital staffs held him in high esteem and feel that his passing has created a gap that will not be filled without difficulty.

Dr. Smith's outstanding work in Edmonton is felt to be exemplified in the vastly improved financial condition of the Royal Alexandra.

Bringing his executive and administrative ability to bear, Dr. Smith, in his capacity of medical superintendent transformed this institution from the heavy deficit class into such an improved condition that it was operated without loss during several months of this year.

Born in Ontario

Henry Richard Smith, although familiarly known as Dr. "Harry" Smith, was born in New Hambourg, Ontario, on September 11, 1873, the son of William C. and Henrietta (Mallet) Smith. The father was a native of England, who came to Canada in 1845 and located in New Hambourg, following the occupation of farming, his death occurring in 1883. The mother was a native of Hays. [Ed. note: A portion of the article at this point is missing.]

Dr. Smith was educated in the country schools of Oxford county and the Collegiate Institute of Woodstock, Ontario, following which he attended Albert College of Belleville, Ontario, and was graduated in the class of 1895. He then studied medicine at Trinity University, Toronto for four years and was graduated in the class of 1899. After graduation he spent the next year in post-graduate work in Edinburgh and London, England, and then was house surgeon in Toronto General Hospital.

Came West in 1901

In the fall of 1901 Dr. Smith came west and located at Star, Alberta, near where Lamont is at the present time. He practiced there for a year and a half and then came to Edmonton where he specialized in surgery.

Dr. Smith married in 1901 Martha Doyle, a daughter of John Doyle, of Elora, Ontario and graduate of the medical department of Toronto University. She died in January, 1903, leaving one daughter, Martha Henrietta, who is now Mrs. Fred Jackson of Clover Bar. In 1906, Dr. Smith married Mabel Rife, a daughter of David Rife of Hespeler, Ontario, who survives him with one son and two daughters, Howard and Constance, who are students at the University of Alberta and Margaret at home.

The deceased early displayed an interest in the Alberta Medical Association and in 1910 became the president of that body. In politics he was a Conservative and was at one time president of the Edmonton branch of that party. He also took a close interest in civic affairs and was a member of the city council about 1912.

Chairman College Board

From the time he came to the city, Dr. Smith was a member of McDougall church and only severed that connection two years ago when he moved his home to the west end and became a member of Wesley church. He was chairman of the board of Alberta College ever since 1913 and at all times took a keen interest in advancing the work. He was chairman of the building committee of the new unit and took a leading part in the efforts that resulted in that fine addition to this teaching institution.

It was on November 1, 1921, that Dr. Smith was appointed to the responsible post of medical superintendent of the city hospital board, succeeding Dr. J.C. Fysche, who had retired early in that year.

The post was held continuously by Dr. Smith up to the time of his death, while great credit is given him for the high standard of efficiency and service, combined with the high rating, that the Royal Alexandra has today. His interest in hospital affairs was keen at all times, recognition of this being expressed in his election some years ago as president of the Alberta Hospital association, which he headed for two years. He was also prominent in this city in strongly emphasizing the need of a children's hospital at the Royal Alexandra.

Was City Coroner

Dr. Smith, who was a city coroner for some years before joining the hospital board, was also interested in farming and had holdings in the Rabbit Hills district just outside the city. He was a member of Edmonton Lodge, No. 7 A.F. and A.M., and also was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mabel E. Davis and Miss Eliza Smith of Toronto, and two brothers, F.C. Smith of Lamont, and J.H. Smith, Colombia, South America.

Dr. Smith's Death Great Loss to City

Keen regret at the passing of Dr. H.R. Smith, medical superintendent of the Royal Alexandra hospital was expressed Thursday morning by Mayor A.U.G. Bury.

"In the first shock, occasioned by its tragic suddenness," he said, "it is very difficult to estimate even approximately the loss which the city has sustained in the death of Dr. H.R. Smith. He was associated so intimately and so long with the Royal Alexandra and Isolation hospitals that one could never think of these great institutions without thinking of him. They as they now exist and the nurses' homes were in a peculiar sense the outcome of his efforts, devoted, undaunted and untiring, in the cause of hospital service in this city, and they stand, and shall stand, as monuments to the force of his zeal, the clearness of his vision, the force of his intellect and the sympathy of his heart."

The following article is transcribed from the Edmonton Journal of Thursday, October 25, 1928:

Dr. H.R. Smith

For over a quarter of a century Dr. Harry R. Smith was a leading figure in the life of this community and he will be very much missed. Edmonton was still little more than a village when he came here. We owe much to our pioneer physicians and among them the man whose passing we mourn today will always have a secure place in the memory of our early citizens, and particularly of those who came into intimate contact with him in the practice of his profession. But his interests were never confined to this. He was prominent in the affairs of his church, gave excellent service as a member of the council and did his share in promoting the general development of the city, in the future of which he had so much faith.

What Dr. Smith has accomplished in the post that he has held for the past seven years does not need to be recalled. As superintendent of the Royal Alexandra Hospital he has through his administrative capacity put the affairs of that institution on a most satisfactory basis. It is a heavy loss that has been sustained in his death while in the full height of his powers and when the work in which he was engaged was undergoing such rapid and sound expansion.

Dr. Smith served as an alderman for Edmonton from 1913-1914. Here is a link to a short biography of him from the City of Edmonton archives.

Notice of his death in the Edmonton Bulletin, October 25, 1928:   

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