Charles Spahr Smith was born in Dillsburg, PA on December 27, 1892, the descendent of original settlers. He graduated from Dillsburg High School and Carlisle Commercial College, where he also became an instructor. Later, he established his own business school in Lansford, PA, before entering the Army in WWI. He became a sergeant and completed Officers Candidate School at the war's end.
In the early 1920's, he joined Beckley College in Harrisburg, PA as a business professor, and later became Dean of the College. In 1928, when the school initiated aviation programs, he was also named Dean of Aviation. He oversaw the development of programs in aeronautical engineering, aviation mechanics and professional piloting. Later, he personally developed one of the first college-level programs in aeronautical administration, which became a model for schools throughout the country. He learned to fly in a Travel Air and a Fairchild Challenger.
Following the demise of Beckley College in the Great Depression of the 1930's, he formed his own school, the Eastern School of Aviation, salvaging many of the Beckley's personnel and resources. He received the first commercial aviation operator's license issued by the state of Pennsylvania, but this venture also failed in the Depression.
At the outbreak of WWII, he entered the Army Air Corps as a captain, and was assigned to Middletown Air Depot, Olmsted Field, PA. He received the Legion of Merit for developing a method to expedite supplies to overseas bases, which was adopted throughout the Command. Later, as the first comptroller on the commander's staff, he developed a new system of military cost accounting, for which he received a commendation. Following the war, he was sent to the Far East Air Force to install his system throughout that command, for which he also received a commendation from the Commanding General. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and upon return to the States, became the first Chief of Management Analysis for the newly formed Research and Development Command.
Col. Smith died on November 24, 1955. He was extremely active in civic and church affairs, and in service clubs. He held a number of high offices in Lions International, and lectured extensively to service clubs and church organizations. Throughout his life, he devoted tireless energy to the counseling and encouraging of young people to pursue productive lives and careers, particularly in the field of aviation. In the 1920's and '30's, he also actively promoted aviation to business and government officials as a promising mode of transportation.