Obituary of Harold Sinclair-Smith

SINCLAIR-SMITH HAROLD, of Detroit, passed away July 13, 2005. Harold, son of the late Jessie Lindsey and the late Leonard Sinclair-Smith, was born, raised, and educated in New York City. After earning his Mechanical Engineering Degree from City College of New York in 1939, he began a forty-plus year career in the Federal Civil Service. In 1942 Harold was transferred to the Detroit area where he continued working with the U. S. Army’s automotive operation. Working as a Design Engineer, he served as Project Engineer, Special Project Officer, Chief of Human Factors Engineering, Vehicle Safety, and Reliability Engineering in 1955, at the request of the U.S. Army Staff, Harold traveled to England, Germany, France and Belgium, where he led user tests and familiarized British Combat Vehicle Engineers with the M48 tank, on which he had done much of the design. In 1975, Harold chaired the Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) Metrication Committee, and in 1976, as TACOM’s NATO Standardization and Metrication Officer, he was instrumental in designing plans for TACOM’s conversion to the metric system. When he retired in 1981, Harold had the satisfaction of loving his chosen career and knowing that his country benefited from his talents-and he also knew that his coworkers respected him for his work ethics, his integrity, and his honesty. Even after retirement until his early 80’s, Harold continued his association with TACOM through bowling and golf leagues. Harold also participated in many other activities and hobbies throughout his life, including gymnastics, swimming, scouting, photography and model airplanes. Harold leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Jeanie Daar Sinclair-Smith, and children, Dr. Karen Sinclair-Smith (Michael Mannebach), Thomas Sinclair-Smith, Robert Sinclair-Smith, Suzanne Sinclair-Smith, Daniel Sinclair-Smith, and the late David Sinclair-Smith. His grandchildren are Renato and Romina de Pardines, Elizabeth Sinclair-Smith, Leah Knowlan-Langdon, and Thadeus Kenneray (Carolyn). His great grandchildren are Angelica Russell and Jordan Kenneray. His sister are Dorothy Swane and the late Glady Mitchell. He will also be missed by special neighbors, Eddie McLeod and family, and, his “granddogs” Dogo and Ripper-and especially his own cat Whiskers. He leaves relatives in the Detroit area, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Alberta, Brazil and Scotland. His death was peaceful and natural, with family at his side. In lieu of formal funeral, per his wishes, Jeanie and the children gathered together to remember the years with their husband and dad. Memorial donations may be made to Harold’s favorite charities: Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 1856, Merrifield, VA 22116-8056 (for online donations, visit www.doctorswithoutborders.org), and Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society, 13569 Joseph Campau, Detroit, MI 48312. Thank you and peace be with you! Messages may be sent to jsinclairsmith@yahoo.com. Please record your memories in Harold's Guestbook.