Stuart J. “Jim” Smyth, 78, of West Lafayette, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at IU Health Arnett Hospital. He was affectionately known as “Scooter” to his immediate family. Jim was born June 18, 1945, in Chicago, IL to the late F. Homer and Jane (Leland) Smyth. On January 30, 1971, he married Carolyn R. Culbertson in North Augusta, SC.
Jim graduated from Champaign High School in 1963 and received a BA in Psychology from Lawrence University in 1967. He joined the Peace Corps and served two years in Palau from 1967 to 1969. Jim received his MA in Social Work from Washington University in 1974 and completed the Graduate Management Executive Program at Harvard University in 1983.
He began working for the United Way of Greater Lafayette in 1975 and served as Executive Director from 1981 until his retirement in 2004. Under his leadership, total contributions topped $75 million for local community organizations and Greater Lafayette had the highest per capita fundraising for United Way throughout Indiana for 10 consecutive years. Jim also served as Executive Director for the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette from 1982 to 1996. After his tenure at the United Way, he was Vice President and Commercial Development Officer for Lafayette Bank and Trust from 2004 to 2009.
Jim was a board member of Leadership Lafayette, Arnett HMO, Area IV Council on Aging, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, and served on the Capital Finance Committee at Central Presbyterian Church.
He was active with Prophetstown State Park and was a member of the Rotary Club and Lafayette Country Club.
Jim received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2000 from Governor Frank O’Bannon, was recognized as a Distinguished Hoosier in 2004 by Governor Joe Kernan, and received the Lillian Kaplan Award for contribution to human services.
He enjoyed waterfowl hunting, fishing, furniture restoration, duck and fish decoy collecting, and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He spent 50+ seasons enjoying fishing and skiing on Lake Cora near Paw Paw, MI.
Surviving along with his wife Carolyn are his sons Corbin (Carrie) Smyth of Park Ridge, IL, Jamie (Shannon) Smyth of Indianapolis, as well as grandsons Will Smyth of Bozeman, MT, and Tommy Smyth of Elmhurst, IL.
Also surviving are his sister Sharon Leonard of Kalamazoo, MI, a number of CHS ’63 BOB members, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his older brother Wayne Smyth.
A Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 17 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Lafayette Country Club.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the general discretionary fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette: 300 Main Street, Suite 100, Lafayette, IN 47901.