Elvie Lawrence Smith (January 8, 1926, in Eatonia, Saskatchewan — August 4, 1999 in St. Lambert, Quebec)[1] was a Canadian aviation engineer known for his work with gas turbines, and for his time at Pratt & Whitney Canada.[2]
Smith attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1947, and subsequently earned a master's in that field from Purdue University.[3]
Smith began his career at the National Research Council, where he spent either five[3] or seven[4] years. In 1957, he joined Pratt and Whitney Canada as an Analytical Engineer.[4] In 1958[4] or 1959,[3] he was a Chief Project Engineer; in 1962 he was promoted to Engineering Manager;[1] in 1966 he was vice-president of Engineering;[1] and in 1970[1] or 1973 he was vice-president of Operations.
In 1978, he became Executive Vice President,[1] and in March 1980, was appointed President[5] and CEO,[3] being further selected as Chairman of the Board in 1984.[1] In 1987, he retired, but retained his seat on the board until 1994.
In addition to being an aviation engineer, Smith was himself a pilot (having earned his license while at Purdue),[1] with a flight time of over 5300 hours in both powered and unpowered aircraft;[6] as well, three of his four children became commercial airline pilots.[7]
In 1985, the Royal Society of Canada awarded Smith the Thomas W. Eadie Medal.[8] In 1992, he was inducted into the Order of Canada,[9] and in 1993, he was inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.[1] In 1997, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers awarded him the R. Tom Sawyer Award.[4]