Dr. Herman Smith - U.S. Marine Corps pilot and decorated Vietnam veteran, archeologist, friend, husband - died Friday, March 10, 2000.

Herman discovered and contributed much to the body of knowledge of the Maya once living on Ambergris Caye. If asked about this Subject, he would gladly inform his listeners of the Maya past with detailed length and expansive arm waving. His humor accompanied these mini-lectures, eliminating any academic dryness and endearing him to the students and groups lie worked with on sites around the island.

Above all his many accomplishments from fighter piloting to practicing archeology- is that Herman was a friend. We miss his wit and intelligence. Even his well-known grumpiness - most of which was faked - is leaving a void.

So, Yo Archeology Dude, fare thee well.
This one's for you:

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings-
Sunward I've climbed, and Joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew
And, while with silent-lifting mind I've trod he high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the 'face of God.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 1922-1941

Dr. Herman Smith was the only PhD archeologist resident in Belize. He was noted in his field as a foremost researcher and expert in the coastal trading of the Maya and headed the archaeological development of Lamanai in Belize. He had lived in Belize for over 12 years and had recently obtained Belizean citizenship. He is survived by his wife Pam Smith of Banyan Bay in San Pedro..On Monday at 3 PM boats departed from BCs and carried Herman's friends to Los Renegados Maya site. North Ambergris Caye, where his ashes will be interred in a location dear to his heart. We express our sincere condolences to family and friends of Dr. Herman Smith.