David Thomas Smieciuch, son of Chester Andrew and Delores Lubelski Smieciuch, was born on January 11, 1949 and departed this life on May 13, 2024 at the age of 75.

Dave was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania and attended Cathedral Preparatory School there. He played baseball throughout his school career and graduated from Cathedral Prep with honors in 1967.

Dave is survived by his brother Gregory John Smieciuch and wife Penney Annette Smieciuch of Zion Crossroads, Virginia. Dave also leaves behind numerous cousins and friends.

Dave was a lifelong learner and an avid reader. He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio where he attended before transferring to Gannon University in Erie. He graduated from Gannon with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He then went on to study at San Jose State University in San Jose, California where he earned a master’s degree in psychology. After that, Dave continued his education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville where he earned his Ph.D. in psychology.

Dave’s passion was as an educator and to this end he worked many years in the education field in the state of Virginia. While he was working on his Ph.D. He was an adjunct professor at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville. One of his first jobs after college was for the Virginia Education Department, evaluating the school system for the state. After that he taught for many years at Oakland School in Troy, Virginia, where he retired in 2018.

Dave was kind and unassuming, and was a wonderful son, brother and friend. He was an avid hiker and especially loved hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. He was proud of his career in education and his grasp of both mathematics and psychology helped countless students learn and better understand the subject.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hill & Wood, 201 North Street, Charlottesville, Virginia.

For more on services and to share your condolences, Hill and Wood Funeral Services.