Douglas Alan Smart, age 63, of Wichita, KS passed away peacefully with family at his side on January 5th, 2024, after battling with significant medical issues over the last 18 months. Doug was born on August 20, 1960, at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii to parents Robert Henry Smart and Marjorie Nelson Smart. His father 's military obligations took the family from Hawaii to multiple states across the US including Vermont, California, Tennessee, and Connecticut. Doug graduated from high school in Ledyard, Connecticut in 1978. He then attended the University of Dayton, graduating with his B.S. in Biology in 1982. Following graduation, he worked as a Laboratory Research Scientist at Yale Medical School, where he met his future wife, Dr. Cindy Strand-Smart. He completed his master's in biology from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT in 1990 and Doug and Cindy welcomed the birth of their son, Ryan William Smart, in 1992 and their daughter, Tara Nicole Smart, in 1994. Following a family move to Wichita, KS in 1994, Doug worked at Wichita State University as a Lab Research Scientist and then at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center as a Serologist/DNA analyst.

In 2000, the family moved to New York state to be closer to family and Doug spent time helping to raise his children. Inspired by his great uncle Ed Cooke, his passion for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing was always at the forefront. Cataloged through countless trophies, pictures, stories, and friendships forged along the way, he will always be remembered for his unique wit and sense of humor. From fly fishing to water skiing to restoring old cars, he was endlessly curious and never shied from learning new things. In 2007, he returned to school to pursue his degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, graduating with his Medical Technology (ASCP) certification from Robert Packer School of Clinical Laboratory Science. The family then returned to Wichita, KS in 2008 and was happy to reconnect with old hunting buddies and work colleagues alike. He worked at Wesley Medical Center as a Medical Laboratory Scientist until his passing.

He was predeceased in life by his sister, Linda G. Smart (2001), and his father Robert H. Smart (2004).

He is survived by his children, Ryan and Tara, his mother, Marjorie Nelson Smart, his brother Lawrence (Chris) Smart, his sister Cheryl Smart, and his nieces and nephews, Evangeline, Stephanie, Shiloh, and Kyra.

He is additionally survived by his closest friends and hunting family: Garrett, Shanise and Reid Cantrell,  Roger & Robert Sedlacek , Dave Larocca, Mike (Tammy) Schartz, Nick Harris and Ben Goff; his hunting dogs, Chuck and Heidi.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future time and place, TBD.