In Memoriam: Stephen Vaughn Smith
Stephen (Steve) Smith Stephen Vaughn Smith, PhD passed away on April 14, 2024. He was a well-respected scientist whose endeavors focused on biogeochemical processes at a global scale. He was awarded a PhD in Oceanography in 1970 from the University of Hawai‘i. He worked at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) from 1970-1977. Steve split his time between HIMB and the Department of Oceanography beginning in 1978. Steve retired in 2003 then, as an Emeritus Professor, worked for several years at Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada in Mexico.
Steve was trained as a carbonate geochemist and his early research focused on coral reefs. He became interested in the biogeochemistry of ecosystems, particularly their roles as net consumers or producers of atmospheric carbon dioxide (net autotrophic or net heterotrophic). Although he did not consider this question in the context of climate change, it is clear in retrospect that his work was highly relevant to understanding the factors controlling carbon sequestration (or not) by marine ecosystems. Steve was a master at identifying ecosystems whose emergent properties could be addressed directly through simple measurements. His interests led him to study the North Pacific Gyre; Kaneohe Bay, Hawai’i; Shark Bay, Western Australia; Tomales and San Francisco Bays, California; and lagoonal systems in Baja California.
He was a leader in the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, developing a standardized protocol that allowed reliable comparisons between ecosystems, leading to new insights on the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in coastal environments. His final publication returned to considering the role of carbonate precipitation in global climate cycles at geologic time scales.
Steve encouraged his students and colleagues to approach biogeochemical studies from a variety of approaches and scales. He loved to challenge the assumptions made by others in pursuit of their science. He was a strong advocate and supporter of early career scientists and colleagues from developing countries. His ability to mentor students and expose them to scientific issues of a global nature created lifelong opportunities for many. Through those students and through all the others that their careers went on to touch, Steve’s work and life made a huge difference to generations of scientists.
Steve’s passing left his son, Daryl Smith (wife Simone), and two grandchildren, Felix and Freya, of New South Wales, Australia; step-son Jose Ignacio Eslinger (wife Erica), and grandchildren Marko, Nico, and Diego of Los Angeles California; and wife Alma Rosa Eslinger.
Adapted from an obituary written by S. Atkinson DeMaster, S. Dollar, B. Popp, B. Tillbrook, J.T. Hollibaugh and D. Smith.