John Bentinck-Smith

Dr. JOHN BENTINCK-SMITH, DVM, Professor Emeritus of Cornell University, age 86, of 5 Horizon Dr., Ithaca, NY died Thursday, May 12, 2005 at home.

Born January 24, 1919 in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late William Frederick and Marion Jordan Bentinck-Smith.

Passionate about his family and friends, Dr. Bentinck-Smith is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marjory Ruth Ellis Bentinck-Smith of Ithaca; daughter Laura Bentinck-Smith of St. Petersburg, FL; son, Alan Bentinck-Smith of Syracuse, NY, son, Roger Bentinck-Smith of Starkville, MS, son, James (Suzi Jackson) Bentinck-Smith of Valparaiso, IN; grandchildren, Tyler Jackson Bentinck-Smith and Davis Jackson Bentinck-Smith of Valparaiso, IN; sister, Joan Bentinck-Smith of Cotuit, MA. He was also predecesed by brothers, William and wife, Phebe Bentinck-Smith and brother, Peter Bentinck-Smith.

Dr. Bentinck-Smith is a graduate of Harvard University and received his DVM from Cornell University. After graduation he went in the U.S. Army to serve during WW II, upon his return he was employed at the Bronx Zoo, Angel Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, MA and then became a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell retiring in 1981. During his time at Cornell he also spent time working for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Following retirement he took a position as Professor at Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, retiring in 1990. He loved to teach and his students were his priority. He also loved sailing and woodworking.

Private graveside services for the immediate family will be held in East Lawn Cemetery, Ithaca, NY with Rev. Dr. James R. Henery officiating. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The John Bentinck-Smith Memorial Scholarship c/o Mr. Don Stewart, Tompkins Trust Co., P.O. Box 6437, Ithaca, NY 14851 to be used for scholarships at Mississippi State University and Cornell University for clinical pathology in veterinary medicine.