Beatrice Scheer Smith was planning to major in music or math at Barnard College in New York City until midway through her undergraduate studies, when she heard an inspiring lecture on the importance of botany.
That set her on a new course. She went on to earn a master's degree in plant physiology from Connecticut College, where she conducted research on plant growth hormones. She earned a doctorate degree from the University of Michigan, then spent the next 70 years sharing her botanical expertise by writing and editing articles for scientific journals, and mentoring and encouraging women to explore careers in science. She also became an expert on Pomona, an American glass manufactured in the late 19th century.
Scheer Smith, 96, died Dec. 26 at Norris Square Presbyterian Home in Cottage Grove.
She arrived in Minnesota around 1940 and researched the lives and works of American women scientists from the 19th century, particularly botanists. Among them was Emily Hitchcock Terry, a botanist who captured Minnesota wildflowers in her striking watercolor paintings. Scheer Smith recounted Terry's contributions in a 1992 book published by the University of Minnesota Press, "A Painted Herbarium: The Life and Art of Emily Hitchcock Terry (1838-1921)."
Scheer Smith was instrumental in helping Marilyn Garber found the Minnesota School of Botanic Art at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis in 2001. "She was the chief supporter" of the school that offers courses in botanical drawing and painting, Garber said. "She worked with me on writing a philosophy and what it would stand for."
While botany was her first love, Scheer Smith also became an expert on Pomona glass. She became a sought-after expert on American glass of the Victorian period, said her daughter, Merrily Smith.
In addition to Merrily, Scheer Smith is survived by another daughter, Susan Smith. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Falcon Heights United Methodist Church, 1795 Holton St., Falcon Heights.
