Duane Smith, local historian and former Fort Lewis College professor, dies at 87

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Duane Smith, retired Fort Lewis College history professor, walks the playing fields of the sports complex named after him on May 8, 2015. Photo courtesy the Durango Herald file
DURANGO, Colo. — Duane Smith, a nationally acclaimed author, former Fort Lewis College history professor and longtime Durango resident, died on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Durango. He was 87.

Smith’s passion for Colorado history and his engaging teaching style earned him nicknames like “Colorado’s Clio,” “Homer of the Hills” and “Sage of the Silvery San Juans.”

“He had a national reputation for being both scholarly and readable,” said Tom Noel, a former colleague and co-author.

Read the full story at the Durango Herald here.
History professor Duane Smith answers questions from the audience after giving his last lecture April 24, 2014, at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Smith died Nov. 26 in Durango. Photo courtesy the Durango Herald
History professor Duane Smith answers questions from the audience after giving his last lecture April 24, 2014, at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Smith died Nov. 26 in Durango. Photo courtesy the Durango Herald
Smith was a featured historian in multiple episodes of "Colorado Experience," including the season three documentary "Ladies in the Mines." You can stream the episode below.