Dr. Herbert Charles Smitherman, Sr., passed away at 11:36 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2010.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, son of Rev. Otis C. and Alberta Smith Smitherman

Dr. Smitherman was a pioneering executive and professional chemist at Procter & Gamble who led the way for other African-Americans at the prestigious company in the 1960s. He was the first black person with a doctorate hired at Procter & Gamble.

He had a Ph.D in physical organic chemistry, he developed several popular patents, including Crest toothpaste, Safeguard soap, Bounce fabric softeners, Biz, Folgers Coffee and Crush soda. Not only are they still on the shelves, but many of them are on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center in the featured exhibit called, "America I AM: The African-American Imprint."

His nickname was "Jackie Robinson of Dr. Herbert Smitherman was a pioneering executive and professional chemist at Procter & Gamble who led the way for other African-Americans at the prestigious company in the 1960s. He was the first black person with a doctorate hired at Procter & Gamble.

With a Ph.D in physical organic chemistry, Dr. Smitherman developed a number of incredibly popular patents, including Crest toothpaste, Safeguard soap, Bounce fabric softeners, Biz, Folgers Coffee and Crush soda, to name a few. Not only are they still on the shelves, but many of them are on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center in the featured exhibit, "America I AM: The African-American Imprint."

Nicknamed the "Jackie Robinson of Procter & Gamble," Dr. Smitherman spent 29 years at Dr. Herbert Smitherman was a pioneering executive and professional chemist at Procter & Gamble who led the way for other African-Americans at the prestigious company in the 1960s. He was the first black person with a doctorate hired at Procter & Gamble.

With a Ph.D in physical organic chemistry, Dr. Smitherman developed a number of incredibly popular patents, including Crest toothpaste, Safeguard soap, Bounce fabric softeners, Biz, Folgers Coffee and Crush soda, to name a few. Not only are they still on the shelves, but many of them are on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center in the featured exhibit, "America I AM: The African-American Imprint."

He was nicknamed the "Jackie Robinson of Procter & Gamble," Dr. Smitherman spent 29 years there, then he went to work as a professor at Wilberforce University. He later started a high school called the Western Hills Design Technology School to help black students perform better in math and science.

He was born and lived in Birmingham, Alabama, where his father served as a pastor. His father's church was burned down twice because they were supporting voting registration and voting rights.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12 noon on Saturday, October 16 at Bellarmine Chapel,on the campus of Xavier University, 3801 Ledgewood Drive (45207).

Visitation 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 15 and from 11:00 a.m. until hour of service on Saturday.

Donations can be made in his honor to Dr. Herbert Charles Smitherman, Sr. Scholarship Fund. Donations may be mailed to the Cincinnati NAACP at 4439 Reading Road, Suite 202 Cincinnati,OH 45229.

Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio  45206.