Edward James “EJ” Smatt, a former Maryland Blue Shield president and insurance executive, died of pneumonia July 13 at Brightview Towson Assisted Living. The Hunt Valley resident was 93.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of Edward E. Smatt, a toolmaker, and Helen Rosalie Kasal, a homemaker. He was a 1950 Brush High School graduate and was voted Most Happy-Go-Lucky. While in school, he met his future wife, Sue Kissel. They married in 1956.
He earned a degree from Kent State University and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. While in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Devens, Massachusetts; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he taught electrical engineering.
“He loved to be with people. He was gregarious,” said his daughter, Kimberly Gorman.
He moved to Baltimore and joined the old Glenn L. Martin aircraft manufacturer in Middle River. While working at the firm, Mr. Smatt used the GI Bill to earn a degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.
In 1965, Mr. Smatt began work at NASA’s Apollo Space Program at General Electric.
He then changed careers and joined the insurance industry, initially as director of corporate development and planning at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana and later as president of Blue Shield Insurance of Maryland.
He later joined Equitable Life Insurance and was named 1997 Agent of the Year. He opened E.J. Smatt Associates in Hunt Valley and specialized in employee benefits for its clients.
“He was a wise man,” said his son-in-law, Ron Gorman. “He liked to share his knowledge and thoughts. He was a Renaissance man. He knew engineering, physics, the law, medicine, art and finance. But most of all, he was generous.”
He followed Thoroughbred racing at Pimlico, Laurel, Penn National, Saratoga, Tampa Bay Downs and Santa Anita Park. He also owned several racehorses and was a successful handicapper.
Mr. Smatt played the piano and often reprised “The Nearness of You.” He spent summers in Ocean City and the month of February in Sint Maarten. He belonged to the Engineers Club, where he hosted brunches.
Mr. Smatt was a regular at Preakness and Maryland Million parties.
“He was known around the horse racing community for his talent for picking a winner, and his generosity to everyone on and off the track,” said his daughter, Kimberly.
Survivors include four daughters, Jennifer Smatt of Reston, Virginia; Kimberly Gorman of Glen Arm; Sarah McGrain of Timonium; and Rebecca Daugherty of Ellicott City; and eight grandchildren. His wife, Sue Kissel Smatt, died in 2013. His daughter, Lizabeth Smatt, died in 1969.
Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, 10 W. Padonia Road, in Timonium.
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Author: funeralcosts.com
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/08/01/edward-james-ej-smatt-dies/
