Ross Smith came from the Ashburton district of New Zealand, and from St Andrew's College went to Otago University where he graduated MB, ChB in 1945 and as a student won a university blue for rugby football. During his resident year at Christchurch Hospital he married Biddy MacDougall, and in 1946 came over to the United Kingdom to obtain the FRCS in 1948 and to gain experience of otolaryngology at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London. Smith returned to New Zealand in 1949 and was appointed consultant ENT surgeon to Christchurch Hospital and soon established a busy private practice. By 1961 he had become senior ENT surgeon to the hospital, but also managed to combine medical work with business and farming activities in which he was equally successful. He was greatly appreciated by colleagues and patients alike, because in spite of his many interests his primary duty was always to his patients, and to his home and family. He was at the height of his professional and business career when he and his wife were both killed in a motor accident near Rotarua on 14 August 1971, leaving behind them their daughter and twin sons.