Frederick H. "Chip" Smedley III died Friday morning, November 1, 2013 at Lancaster General Hospital following a brief illness and a long love affair with life. He was 57.
He was the husband of Kelly R. (Gerhard) Smedley, of Lancaster.
At various times, Chip was a newspaper reporter, history teacher, mayoral assistant, public relations man, chef, bartender, musician, ice hockey goaltender, softball player and lacrosse coach. Most recently, he was Lancaster Newspapers' Watchdog columnist.
Chip joined Lancaster Newspapers in 1974, soon after graduating from Columbia High School. He first served as a part-timer on the Intelligencer Journal sports staff.
He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in history and the Charles I. Landis History Prize.
After college, he joined the Intelligencer Journal as a full-time general assignment reporter and later covered Lancaster City Hall.
In 1980, he switched offices, becoming Mayor Arthur E. Morris's administrative assistant. He wrote press releases and speeches and handled the day-to-day duties of the mayor's office. His annual poem, written for the mayor, was a highlight of the Lancaster Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association banquet.
In 1984, he became director of public relations for H. Joseph Hull Advertising. He also served as communications chairman for state Rep. Marvin E. Miller Jr.'s re-election campaign that year.
Chip found his true calling in 1985 when he became a history teacher and later also dean of Upper School students at Lancaster Country Day School. For 23 years, he taught hundreds of students, many of whom called him "Smeds."
One of those students wrote on Chip's Facebook page Friday, "We all remember that one teacher. You know the one. The one who made all the difference. The one who expected you to be better and then showed you how. For me and for many a student of Lancaster Country Day School of my age it was Chip Smedley, Smeds."
One of Chip's favorite teaching duties was leading the school's annual Model U.N. trips to The Hague in the Netherlands for two decades. His daughter, Lauren, was a student in that program.
While working full-time elsewhere, Chip also worked Saturday evenings for Lancaster Newspapers' Sunday News sports department.
He eventually returned to the newspaper full time as an investigative reporter in 2008. He was part of the Sunday News' Investigative Team that won statewide awards for series of stories on the county's criminal justice system and cyber-charter schools last year.
As a reporter, he was known for pressing hard for the truth. He asked tough questions and got the information he needed, often while continuing to charm the objects of his reporting with his ever-present and infectious sense of humor.
Born May 21, 1956, he was the son of Frederick H. Smedley Jr. and the late Ruth McCachren Smedley, of Columbia.
Chip was a Lancaster New Era Teen of the Week in 1973. The newspaper noted that he served as president of Columbia High School's student council and as vice president of the school's National Honor Society chapter.
Chip played trumpet in the school band and also played piano and organ on his own. He was a third baseman and catcher for the Columbia baseball team and was the No. 1 player on the golf team.
For years, he was a standout goaltender for local men's and then old-timers' ice hockey teams that played at Regency Sports Rink and in tournaments throughout the region, including an annual event in Easton, Md.
He had a keen interest in the history of the Civil War, and in his free time led personal tours to the Gettysburg Battlefield for friends and anyone who was interested.
Chip's loyalty to his friends and co-workers knew no bounds. Neither did his generosity. He loved playing Santa Claus at Christmas, but he was a friend in need in all seasons.
He was devoted to his children and joyfully took them on field trips to museums and other educational and amusing places. He often expressed his pride in them and their accomplishments. He also adored his dog, Marvin.
In addition to his father and wife, Chip is survived by his stepmother, Elizabeth R. Smedley, of Columbia.
He also is survived by two children, Lauren K. Smedley, of Philadelphia, and Benjamin S. Smedley, at home.
Two sisters survive: Annette, wife of Robert Coffman, of Mechanicsburg; and Suzanne Henninger, of Pottstown.
Chip was preceded in death by his aunt, Harriet S. Smedley.
He was previously married to Janet Kelley, of Lancaster.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Chip's life Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 W. James St., Lancaster. A reception at Lancaster Country Day School, 725 Hamilton Road, will follow the service. Relatives will receive friends and family at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations be made to the Model United Nations Program at Lancaster Country Day School to help establish a scholarship fund in Chip's honor. Donations can be sent to LCDS, 725 Hamilton Road, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Smedley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.lifecelebration.com
(Lancaster Sunday News 11/3/2013)
He was the husband of Kelly R. (Gerhard) Smedley, of Lancaster.
At various times, Chip was a newspaper reporter, history teacher, mayoral assistant, public relations man, chef, bartender, musician, ice hockey goaltender, softball player and lacrosse coach. Most recently, he was Lancaster Newspapers' Watchdog columnist.
Chip joined Lancaster Newspapers in 1974, soon after graduating from Columbia High School. He first served as a part-timer on the Intelligencer Journal sports staff.
He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in history and the Charles I. Landis History Prize.
After college, he joined the Intelligencer Journal as a full-time general assignment reporter and later covered Lancaster City Hall.
In 1980, he switched offices, becoming Mayor Arthur E. Morris's administrative assistant. He wrote press releases and speeches and handled the day-to-day duties of the mayor's office. His annual poem, written for the mayor, was a highlight of the Lancaster Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association banquet.
In 1984, he became director of public relations for H. Joseph Hull Advertising. He also served as communications chairman for state Rep. Marvin E. Miller Jr.'s re-election campaign that year.
Chip found his true calling in 1985 when he became a history teacher and later also dean of Upper School students at Lancaster Country Day School. For 23 years, he taught hundreds of students, many of whom called him "Smeds."
One of those students wrote on Chip's Facebook page Friday, "We all remember that one teacher. You know the one. The one who made all the difference. The one who expected you to be better and then showed you how. For me and for many a student of Lancaster Country Day School of my age it was Chip Smedley, Smeds."
One of Chip's favorite teaching duties was leading the school's annual Model U.N. trips to The Hague in the Netherlands for two decades. His daughter, Lauren, was a student in that program.
While working full-time elsewhere, Chip also worked Saturday evenings for Lancaster Newspapers' Sunday News sports department.
He eventually returned to the newspaper full time as an investigative reporter in 2008. He was part of the Sunday News' Investigative Team that won statewide awards for series of stories on the county's criminal justice system and cyber-charter schools last year.
As a reporter, he was known for pressing hard for the truth. He asked tough questions and got the information he needed, often while continuing to charm the objects of his reporting with his ever-present and infectious sense of humor.
Born May 21, 1956, he was the son of Frederick H. Smedley Jr. and the late Ruth McCachren Smedley, of Columbia.
Chip was a Lancaster New Era Teen of the Week in 1973. The newspaper noted that he served as president of Columbia High School's student council and as vice president of the school's National Honor Society chapter.
Chip played trumpet in the school band and also played piano and organ on his own. He was a third baseman and catcher for the Columbia baseball team and was the No. 1 player on the golf team.
For years, he was a standout goaltender for local men's and then old-timers' ice hockey teams that played at Regency Sports Rink and in tournaments throughout the region, including an annual event in Easton, Md.
He had a keen interest in the history of the Civil War, and in his free time led personal tours to the Gettysburg Battlefield for friends and anyone who was interested.
Chip's loyalty to his friends and co-workers knew no bounds. Neither did his generosity. He loved playing Santa Claus at Christmas, but he was a friend in need in all seasons.
He was devoted to his children and joyfully took them on field trips to museums and other educational and amusing places. He often expressed his pride in them and their accomplishments. He also adored his dog, Marvin.
In addition to his father and wife, Chip is survived by his stepmother, Elizabeth R. Smedley, of Columbia.
He also is survived by two children, Lauren K. Smedley, of Philadelphia, and Benjamin S. Smedley, at home.
Two sisters survive: Annette, wife of Robert Coffman, of Mechanicsburg; and Suzanne Henninger, of Pottstown.
Chip was preceded in death by his aunt, Harriet S. Smedley.
He was previously married to Janet Kelley, of Lancaster.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Chip's life Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 W. James St., Lancaster. A reception at Lancaster Country Day School, 725 Hamilton Road, will follow the service. Relatives will receive friends and family at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations be made to the Model United Nations Program at Lancaster Country Day School to help establish a scholarship fund in Chip's honor. Donations can be sent to LCDS, 725 Hamilton Road, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Smedley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.lifecelebration.com
(Lancaster Sunday News 11/3/2013)
Frederick H. "Chip" Smedley III died Friday morning, November 1, 2013 at Lancaster General Hospital following a brief illness and a long love affair with life. He was 57.
He was the husband of Kelly R. (Gerhard) Smedley, of Lancaster.
At various times, Chip was a newspaper reporter, history teacher, mayoral assistant, public relations man, chef, bartender, musician, ice hockey goaltender, softball player and lacrosse coach. Most recently, he was Lancaster Newspapers' Watchdog columnist.
Chip joined Lancaster Newspapers in 1974, soon after graduating from Columbia High School. He first served as a part-timer on the Intelligencer Journal sports staff.
He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in history and the Charles I. Landis History Prize.
After college, he joined the Intelligencer Journal as a full-time general assignment reporter and later covered Lancaster City Hall.
In 1980, he switched offices, becoming Mayor Arthur E. Morris's administrative assistant. He wrote press releases and speeches and handled the day-to-day duties of the mayor's office. His annual poem, written for the mayor, was a highlight of the Lancaster Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association banquet.
In 1984, he became director of public relations for H. Joseph Hull Advertising. He also served as communications chairman for state Rep. Marvin E. Miller Jr.'s re-election campaign that year.
Chip found his true calling in 1985 when he became a history teacher and later also dean of Upper School students at Lancaster Country Day School. For 23 years, he taught hundreds of students, many of whom called him "Smeds."
One of those students wrote on Chip's Facebook page Friday, "We all remember that one teacher. You know the one. The one who made all the difference. The one who expected you to be better and then showed you how. For me and for many a student of Lancaster Country Day School of my age it was Chip Smedley, Smeds."
One of Chip's favorite teaching duties was leading the school's annual Model U.N. trips to The Hague in the Netherlands for two decades. His daughter, Lauren, was a student in that program.
While working full-time elsewhere, Chip also worked Saturday evenings for Lancaster Newspapers' Sunday News sports department.
He eventually returned to the newspaper full time as an investigative reporter in 2008. He was part of the Sunday News' Investigative Team that won statewide awards for series of stories on the county's criminal justice system and cyber-charter schools last year.
As a reporter, he was known for pressing hard for the truth. He asked tough questions and got the information he needed, often while continuing to charm the objects of his reporting with his ever-present and infectious sense of humor.
Born May 21, 1956, he was the son of Frederick H. Smedley Jr. and the late Ruth McCachren Smedley, of Columbia.
Chip was a Lancaster New Era Teen of the Week in 1973. The newspaper noted that he served as president of Columbia High School's student council and as vice president of the school's National Honor Society chapter.
Chip played trumpet in the school band and also played piano and organ on his own. He was a third baseman and catcher for the Columbia baseball team and was the No. 1 player on the golf team.
For years, he was a standout goaltender for local men's and then old-timers' ice hockey teams that played at Regency Sports Rink and in tournaments throughout the region, including an annual event in Easton, Md.
He had a keen interest in the history of the Civil War, and in his free time led personal tours to the Gettysburg Battlefield for friends and anyone who was interested.
Chip's loyalty to his friends and co-workers knew no bounds. Neither did his generosity. He loved playing Santa Claus at Christmas, but he was a friend in need in all seasons.
He was devoted to his children and joyfully took them on field trips to museums and other educational and amusing places. He often expressed his pride in them and their accomplishments. He also adored his dog, Marvin.
In addition to his father and wife, Chip is survived by his stepmother, Elizabeth R. Smedley, of Columbia.
He also is survived by two children, Lauren K. Smedley, of Philadelphia, and Benjamin S. Smedley, at home.
Two sisters survive: Annette, wife of Robert Coffman, of Mechanicsburg; and Suzanne Henninger, of Pottstown.
Chip was preceded in death by his aunt, Harriet S. Smedley.
He was previously married to Janet Kelley, of Lancaster.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Chip's life Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 W. James St., Lancaster. A reception at Lancaster Country Day School, 725 Hamilton Road, will follow the service. Relatives will receive friends and family at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations be made to the Model United Nations Program at Lancaster Country Day School to help establish a scholarship fund in Chip's honor. Donations can be sent to LCDS, 725 Hamilton Road, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Smedley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.lifecelebration.com
(Lancaster Sunday News 11/3/2013)
He was the husband of Kelly R. (Gerhard) Smedley, of Lancaster.
At various times, Chip was a newspaper reporter, history teacher, mayoral assistant, public relations man, chef, bartender, musician, ice hockey goaltender, softball player and lacrosse coach. Most recently, he was Lancaster Newspapers' Watchdog columnist.
Chip joined Lancaster Newspapers in 1974, soon after graduating from Columbia High School. He first served as a part-timer on the Intelligencer Journal sports staff.
He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in history and the Charles I. Landis History Prize.
After college, he joined the Intelligencer Journal as a full-time general assignment reporter and later covered Lancaster City Hall.
In 1980, he switched offices, becoming Mayor Arthur E. Morris's administrative assistant. He wrote press releases and speeches and handled the day-to-day duties of the mayor's office. His annual poem, written for the mayor, was a highlight of the Lancaster Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association banquet.
In 1984, he became director of public relations for H. Joseph Hull Advertising. He also served as communications chairman for state Rep. Marvin E. Miller Jr.'s re-election campaign that year.
Chip found his true calling in 1985 when he became a history teacher and later also dean of Upper School students at Lancaster Country Day School. For 23 years, he taught hundreds of students, many of whom called him "Smeds."
One of those students wrote on Chip's Facebook page Friday, "We all remember that one teacher. You know the one. The one who made all the difference. The one who expected you to be better and then showed you how. For me and for many a student of Lancaster Country Day School of my age it was Chip Smedley, Smeds."
One of Chip's favorite teaching duties was leading the school's annual Model U.N. trips to The Hague in the Netherlands for two decades. His daughter, Lauren, was a student in that program.
While working full-time elsewhere, Chip also worked Saturday evenings for Lancaster Newspapers' Sunday News sports department.
He eventually returned to the newspaper full time as an investigative reporter in 2008. He was part of the Sunday News' Investigative Team that won statewide awards for series of stories on the county's criminal justice system and cyber-charter schools last year.
As a reporter, he was known for pressing hard for the truth. He asked tough questions and got the information he needed, often while continuing to charm the objects of his reporting with his ever-present and infectious sense of humor.
Born May 21, 1956, he was the son of Frederick H. Smedley Jr. and the late Ruth McCachren Smedley, of Columbia.
Chip was a Lancaster New Era Teen of the Week in 1973. The newspaper noted that he served as president of Columbia High School's student council and as vice president of the school's National Honor Society chapter.
Chip played trumpet in the school band and also played piano and organ on his own. He was a third baseman and catcher for the Columbia baseball team and was the No. 1 player on the golf team.
For years, he was a standout goaltender for local men's and then old-timers' ice hockey teams that played at Regency Sports Rink and in tournaments throughout the region, including an annual event in Easton, Md.
He had a keen interest in the history of the Civil War, and in his free time led personal tours to the Gettysburg Battlefield for friends and anyone who was interested.
Chip's loyalty to his friends and co-workers knew no bounds. Neither did his generosity. He loved playing Santa Claus at Christmas, but he was a friend in need in all seasons.
He was devoted to his children and joyfully took them on field trips to museums and other educational and amusing places. He often expressed his pride in them and their accomplishments. He also adored his dog, Marvin.
In addition to his father and wife, Chip is survived by his stepmother, Elizabeth R. Smedley, of Columbia.
He also is survived by two children, Lauren K. Smedley, of Philadelphia, and Benjamin S. Smedley, at home.
Two sisters survive: Annette, wife of Robert Coffman, of Mechanicsburg; and Suzanne Henninger, of Pottstown.
Chip was preceded in death by his aunt, Harriet S. Smedley.
He was previously married to Janet Kelley, of Lancaster.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Chip's life Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. at Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 W. James St., Lancaster. A reception at Lancaster Country Day School, 725 Hamilton Road, will follow the service. Relatives will receive friends and family at the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations be made to the Model United Nations Program at Lancaster Country Day School to help establish a scholarship fund in Chip's honor. Donations can be sent to LCDS, 725 Hamilton Road, Lancaster, PA 17603.
Smedley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. www.lifecelebration.com
(Lancaster Sunday News 11/3/2013)
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