With poetry, song, and many fond stories, Portland State and Legacy Health came together Tuesday to celebrate the life of Bobby Smallwood, a former PSU student and hospital security employee who was shot while working at Good Samaritan Hospital in Northwest Portland on July 22.
The gathering in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, was also shared by livestream for those who couldn’t attend in person, including members of Smallwood’s family in Florida. Members of the Portland State Chamber Choir sang two pieces to open and close the event.
Smallwood was remembered as a passionate advocate for others and a reliable and delightful coworker. Friends, coworkers and acquaintances shared memories while Bronwyn Houston, president of Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel — where Smallwood worked at the time of his death — passed on accounts of patient lives who were touched by his caring spirit.
PSU bestowed two honors in Smallwood’s memory.
Bea McGrath, general manager of the PSU Food Pantry, announced that the newly expanded pantry space, expected to open fall term, will be named in Bobby’s honor: The Smallwood Food Pantry.
While he was a PSU student, Smallwood served the PSU Food Pantry, first as a volunteer and later as the Pantry’s manager.
“He was extremely proud of his involvement in the Pantry because he knew first-hand how important access to food is to students, and he could see daily how his work made a difference in their lives,” said Angela Hamilton, associate director of student activities and leadership programs at PSU. “When he spoke with our funders, donors, or the media, he often shared his personal story of how he was malnourished prior to discovering the Pantry and gained 20 pounds once he had regular access to food.”
Hamilton added, “Bobby was always putting other students first, and often spent extra hours between classes stopping in at the Pantry to scrub out a refrigerator or greet the patrons who he frequently referred to as his friends. He felt strongly that a clean pantry was a dignifying pantry.”
In addition to the naming honor PSU President Cudd awarded Smallwood a posthumous Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Mathematics.
“Another thing we’ve learned about Bobby, is that while it was reported that he graduated from PSU in 2020, he still had some final degree requirements that he was working on completing,” President Cudd said. “We will be sending the diploma to Bobby’s family in Florida who were unable to join us here in person today. I hope that it represents a comfort to them and reminds them how treasured Bobby was during his time at Portland State.”