From Freddie Isenberg

The first time I met Smitty was shortly after I had been discharged from the Army. It was at a house party given by a mutual friend of ours. I met Arnie Kraden at that same party. The three of us became close friends from that time on. We used to go to Buffalo State Teachers College ( as it was then so named) looking to meet girls at the student union. Smitty was the only one of us attending college. Arnie was a mailman at the time. I worked in my Dad’s business and could only take a night course at the University of Buffalo. I had to work during the day at the business since my Dad was too ill to work. Smitty was by all means the brightest one of us. Arnie, at that time, had no desire to be in school and I was not the greatest student during my high school years. So we all felt Smitty would be the one to earn his college degree and be the most successful in life because of this. We were all aware of Smitty’s difficult circumstances growing up but none of us realized the destructive toll it would take on his personal relationships. All of us are deeply saddened by that fact and all of us certainly missed having a continued friendship throughout our adult lives with him. We “stood up” for each other’s weddings and remained friends through the early years of our marriages. We expected our friendship would continue even when he moved away. However, as we all know, that was sadly not to be the case.

Let me just reflect on the happier times and tell you two stories which are interesting and give you a little insight into your Dad. The first story will tell of his intellect. When he was a senior in college at the University of Buffalo and taking a math course (Calculus I believe,) he found several errors in the text book. He told the professor about the errors and asked the professor to use a different text book. The professor admitted Smitty was correct about the errors but would not switch the text. Smitty decided not to attend any of the classes. Well when it came time to take the final exam, the professor told Smitty the only way he could pass the course was to score 100% on the exam……..not 95 or 98……but only a perfect score. Smitty did exactly that, but, not surprisingly, only received a D for a final grade. He amazed all of us by scoring a perfect exam and reinforced our awareness of how brilliant he was and at the same time so stubborn.

The next story might surprise you somewhat more especially since Brian is a swimming coach. Smitty did not know not know to swim! In order to graduate from college he had
to pass swimming which was yet another course he did not attend. I took the swimming test for him! In those days it was quite easy for me to go to the class and pretend I was Smitty. I knew how to swim and therefore Smitty was able to pass Phys Ed, albeit with a D grade, but as a result he was able to graduate.
We shared many great and fun times together as we grew into adulthood. As these stories imply, there wasn’t much we ( his friends )wouldn’t have done to be supportive of him.

Tonight I spoke with another friend from the “old” gang of ours. Her name is Rochelle Benatovich Chait. She asked me to relay the fact that she has fond memories of Smitty. She said she recalls how he often attended parties that she had at her house on Friday nights during the high school years. She said it was all great fun and good memories.

We are all trying to understand Smitty’s motives for his life’s choices but I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to speak with him once more before he died. I and my wife wish you and your family peace and all the best life has to offer.

Fondly,
Freddie Isenberg