Winthrop (Win) Parham Smith, Ph.D.

Winthrop (Win) Parham Smith, Ph.D., 55, passed away on January 15, 2024 due to complications of diabetes. Win was a native of Kingsport. He graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School, where he served as student body president. Win went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from NC State, a master’s in engineering from UT, and a PhD in biomechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University. Win was Founder & President of Winthrop Forensics in Nashville TN.

Win was known for his quick wit, sharp mind, loyalty to friends and family and his ability to connect with everyone. One recent client commented on his uncanny ability to use his wit and intellect to translate complicated forensics data and evidence into laypersons language that any jury could understand. Win was known for sharing his love of cooking, (learned from his grandmother Josh), car tinkering, being a pool shark, and fan of F1 formula racing. His family was always amazed at his mechanical mind, preferring to design and build his own model airplanes from scratch wood as a child, instead of using pre-made airplane kits. Later in life, he could break down the mechanics and technology of a racing car in mid-race, blowing away those around him. He also loved applying his racing knowledge to his nephew’s pinewood derby car, often carrying away first place. The other cub scouts learned to “fear” uncle Win’s pinewood derby car. He helped his brother launch his first website in the earliest days of the Internet and programed a platform that later became a stand-alone business. Win loved spending time with his family on their annual beach trip to Litchfield, SC., often cooking pizza from scratch with his son Sully, and spending the entire night on the beach fishing for the “big” shark he was sure was cruising the beachline. With his wife Helen, they loved to play gin, with Helen claiming only one win. He loved traveling with his family to Saint Simon’s Island Ga. While there they would fish and snorkel. The family also loved the Smokies, as Win was proud of his East Tennessee roots. He loved to spend the day at any water park with Sully in Gatlinburg, which Win referred to as “Myrtle Beach in the sky”.

Win was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Fletcher Smith, Gail Taylor Smith Hale, his stepfather, John William Hale and stepsister, Beth Hale Riemer.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Kyger Smith; son, Sullivan Winthrop Smith; brother, Thomas Christopher Smith (Tracy); stepsister, Katherine Hale English (Joel); stepbrother, John Wiliam Hale Jr; brother-in-law, Dave Riemer; In-Laws, Dr. Kent and Mrs. Patricia Kyger; sisters-in-law, Patricia Hunt (Scott), Elizabeth Sparta (Mike) and Lucille Langreck; nephew and nieces, Ali, Bo & Hannah Smith, Caroline and Luke English, John Michael Hale, Kaylie and Sara Riemer, Miller and Robinson Scott, Brennan, Bevan, Spencer and Reed Sparta and Michael Langreck.

He is also survived by aunts and uncles, Andrew Frank Taylor (Susan), Gregory Smith Jr. (Virginia), Eleanor Ford (Bill), Genevieve Wilkie, Julianah Smith and J. Winthrop Smith, Tom Owens (Susan), Rebecca Owens, Richard and Mary Helen Klem, including first cousins, Perry Taylor (Jane), Lane Taylor (Chelsea), Jennifer Hunter (Ron), Cathy Kilgore (Steve), Bo Ford (Rachel), Christian Smith (Kelsey), Marisa Parsons (Lucas), Cynthia Wilkie, Thomas Scott Wilkie, Will Gipe (Stacy), Robert Gipe, Robby Anderson and Katie Owens; with many second and third cousins.

A family prayer service will be held at Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Kingsport at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Visitation and receiving of friends and family to follow between noon-2:00 at Hamlet Dobson Funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to; Friends of the Archives, Gail Hale Lecture Series, 400 Broad Street, Kingsport TN. 37660.