The Rev. Kenneth J. Smith, minister emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Marthaߣs Vineyard, died at his retirement home in Penney Farms, Fla., on March 21. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

Reverend Smith was born in Indiana, the son of Jack and Myrtle Smith. Of a strong Lutheran background, he discovered Unitarianism at Wittenberg College, but before attending Meadville Theological School at the University of Chicago, he became a conscientious objector and nurse during World War II. Further study followed at the London School of Economics and Social Philosophy.

He served his first church in Duluth, Minn., for seven years and then traveled extensively in Asia and Africa. Before coming home, he married Judy Creed of South Africa, thus acquiring two stepdaughters. He later served Universalist churches on Long Island and in New Jersey, helping to guide them into the merger of Unitarians and Universalists in 1961.

Reverend Smith further studied at New York University. His lifelong interest in promoting peace and equality led him to chair committees to further the efforts for racial equality in the 1960s while living in Philadelphia where he ministered to the Ethical Culture Society.

Reverend Smith came to be the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Marthaߣs Vineyard in 1977, where he served until his retirement 10 years later. He was then appointed minister emeritus. He was very active in the Vineyard community as a member of the Great Books Club and the Vineyard Peace Council. He had a lifelong interest in theatre and eagerly attended many Vineyard productions. His first marriage ended before he came to the Vineyard. In 1984 he married Ruth Luening who predeceased him.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Marthaߣs Vineyard, PO Box 1236, Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568 or to the Vineyard Peace Council, c/o Sarah Nevin, RR Box 351A, Edgartown, MA, 02539.