Edward Smith
March 17, 2026

Edward Smith, a beloved husband and loving father and grandfather, died at his home in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., on Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 78.

He loved the simple joys in life - a good breakfast, great weather, and catching a compelling ballgame. His later years featured some of his greatest memories, including seeing his kids graduate from college, dancing with his daughter at her wedding and taking in Pirates games at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and PNC Park.

Born in post-war Pittsburgh, Edward grew up in Squirrel Hill and was a proud member of the Taylor Allderdice High School class of 1965. He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health, earning a Doctor of Science in Hygiene in 1973. Edward would spend more than three decades working to improve the environment throughout the Ohio River Valley with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He worked on many projects aimed at restoring ecosystems and waterways in the region that were badly damaged by the effects of heavy industry, like acid mine drainage.

He took great pride in these efforts and saw immense value in helping people and wildlife through his work. In 2004, he was awarded the Department of the Army's Commander's Award for Civilian Service. Col. Raymond Scrocco wrote that Edward earned the award "for his exceptional performance," adding that his "career of excellence" had "enhanced the reputation of the Corps of Engineers."

In 1991, Edward met his dear wife, Charlotte Smith, née Dickstein, after walking into an open house she hosted in Squirrel Hill. Then a real estate agent, Charlotte told The Pittsburgh Press in March 1992 that she knew she met her man as soon as she saw him.

"It was a dismal, dreary day," Charlotte told The Press. "And no one had come in. About 3 p.m., a man stopped in. I took one look at him and said, 'That's the man for me.'"

(Edward confirmed the marital plans to The Press but requested anonymity at the time because he had yet to share the news with friends and family.)

The two married later that year and spent the next 34 years together. They share two children: Allan Smith, a journalist at NBC News in New York, and Dara Carroll, née Smith, a marketing technology specialist in Tampa. Edward and his family enjoyed beachside vacations, cruises and many, many trips to New York City. Edward and Dara, who attended multiple father/daughter dinners together, enjoyed trying new restaurants and watching movies together while he and Allan bonded over a passion for current events and a mutual love of sports.

And Edward really loved sports. He played high school baseball and later grew to become a skilled golfer and avid bowler - the pins shook in fear when they saw his powerful windup approaching. He was also a dedicated fan of the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers. He delighted in telling stories of meeting some of his favorite athletes or of the best sports moments he got to experience first-hand. None were bigger than in 1960 when he attended the greatest baseball game of all time: Game 7 of that year's World Series in Pittsburgh. He was sitting in the right field stands at Forbes Field with his mom when Bill Mazeroski hit his famous series-ending home run.

Edward was preceded in death by his mother, Rose L. Smith, and his father, Allan I. Smith. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, 71, son Allan, 32, daughter Dara, 31, son-in-law Cameron Carroll, 33, and granddaughter Grace Carroll, 1, both of Tampa, and brother-in-law Zev Dickstein, 77, of Linden, N.J.

Services and interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the LUNGevity Foundation (www.lungevity.org) or the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (waterlandlife.org). Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

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