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Edward E. Smith
09/11/1917 — 01/12/2008
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Edward E. Smith
Edward E. Smith of Richland, WA passed Saturday, January 12, 2008. Ed was born in Boston, MA September 11, 1917. He was a resident of New York before relocating to Richland in 1964. Smitty, as he was called by friends and colleagues, was a Professional Engineer at Hanford.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, and his brother, Winthrop. Ed is survived by his daughters Pamela, Paula and Patricia; his grandchildren Daniel and Chelsea; his sons-in-law Dan Johnson and James Kirk; and his niece Andrea Mitchell.
A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Church Friday, January 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland.
We trained in Karatedo Doshinkan with Ed. We will always have wonderful memories of our times together. Ed was so strong, we were always amazed at his strength but most of all, his character was strong. To his family our sympathy on his passing but we must say how lucky you were to have him in your life. Some people have something so special about them and Ed was one of those people. He made you feel good just to be around him. He will be missed.
Rex and Sharon Flaucher
Smitty has been a friend for 30 years and will be sorely missed. Thanks for your kindness throughout the years.
I first met and worked for Ed in the summer of 1973 at Vitro Engineering. He was such a great guy in every way. My sincere sympathies to his family.
I was very sadddened to hear of Smitty’s passing but also feel fortunate to have known him. What a wonderful human being he was. I first met Smitty when I was in high school in the 70s and one of my brothers was in karate with him. Later I’d encounter him occasionally in the Federal building and became even more familiar with Ed as my oldest brother was fortunate to work for Ed in his first job out of college at Kaiser Engineers. Our whole family thought he was so very special. Being the Tri-Cities I had the good fortune to run into Ed in those years after he’d retired. We had great times chatting at the racquetclub where I’d be with my kids and he’d be with his tennis racquet and sometimes his grand daughter in tow. We had a great time talking and teasing and he absolutely made my day on many an occasion. I hope that as time passes his family and friends are comforted by many happy memories.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Eddie at Vitro Engineering, Braun Hanford Company, and Kaiser Engineers Hanford Company. He was a fine engineer and manager and a good friend to me. He set high standards for himself and those who worked for him. Many an engineer, designeer and draftsman improved their work under his tutelage. He was an amazing man, playing and winning tennis matches in his seventies. He played bridge with gusto, and his enjoyment of the game was evident from his laughter that resonated through the building when the noontime game was in session. It was a privilege for me to know Eddie Smith.
WHEN EVER WE WOULD MEET, WE HAD TO HAVE OUR FIGHT ABOUT NOT TALKING OR GETTING TOGETHER LIKE WE SHOULD. OF COURSE, WE WOULD NEVER DO IT AND NEXT TIME THE FRIENDLY FIGHT WAS ON. AFTER OUR FIGHT, WE WOULD EXCHANGE INFORMATION AS TO HOW OUR FAMILES WERE DOING. HE PARTICULARLY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WAS TREATING MY WIFE BERNICE LIKE I SHOULD. ED WAS A GREAT MAN WHO I HAD THE HIGHEST OF RESPECT. WHEN HE CAME TO THE TRI-CITIES, I THINK HE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN EMPLOYEE EMPLOYED BY A HANFORD CONTRACTOR THAT HAD THEIR RELOCATION EXPENSES PAID FOR. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE CHILDREN TO GET AND STAY IN TOUCH WITH ME. I ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HIS WIFE MARTHA GREAT LADY AT THE HANFORD SITE. MY VISITS WITH HIM WAS SPECIAL, INDEED.
I am the youngest of the 4 Schuster Boys that grew up next to Ed in Richland. What always makes me smile as I think back is how incredibly patient Ed was with all of us. Probably no fewer then 1,000 whiffle balls, footballs, basketballs, and who knows what else landed in his back yard during one of our games and he never cared. Even when one of us or our friends would go flying over his fence in an effort to catch a homerun ball rolling off his roof which I am sure was not the quietest moment of his day, he would still give us a smile, a laugh, and a wave. And as the bushes off his back porch would swallow many of those balls that flew into his yard they would always find their way back over our fence as he found them. Ed was a nice man and a good example for a young boy growing up.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this time, but I wanted to share with you that “Mr. Smith” will forever have a smile, a laugh, and a wave in my memories of Mahan Street.
Dunrue and I wish to express our condolences to the family and friends of Ed Smith. Ed and I had many great moments on the tennis courts during the “70’s”. We know Ed is in a better place now, because Christ has prepared a place for him.
God Bless!!
Al & Dunrue Wilson
Words cannot express our deep felt sympathy. We are thinking of you and praying that you are comforted with wonderful memories.
Ron & Othene Wade
I knew Ed from tranining in Karate-do in the latter 70’s and early 80’s. The people he tranied with were Max Deardorff, Dean Jones, Lee Rosson, George Golightly and others. He was an inspiration in that he was older than us and in better shape than all of us!!!! We will all miss him! He was always thoughtful and had a great laugh! My prayers for his family.
My sympathy is with the family of my beloved friend. He was like a father to me. I will pray for him and the family and look foward for the time in paradise when we will be re connected in the peace of God.
I was sad to hear of Smittys passing. He brought me to the Tri-Cities in the late 70s to work in his Piping Department at Vitro Engineering. He was one of the best and most knowledgeable men I ever worked for. His contribution to Hanford and the Tri-Cities is immense. He was always cheerful when I saw him after he retired. It was my great honor to have known him.
His family has my prayers and deepest sympathy.
Honey I did not know grandma was gone too I’ so sorry be somewhere where I can get in touch with you Barbie was here The week my mom died and attended her funeral Kisses love Nancy
I met Ed when I started working for Vitro Engineering in the Federal Building in 1971.
What I will always remember about Ed is his laughter and his love of life.
He was one person you could hear from one side of the Federal Buuilding to the other when he laughed. He never held back.
The times I had to talk with Ed about work, he was production oriented, extremely knowledgeable and very understanding and compassionate. He was a very good man.
My family met Ed when we partcipated in the Vitro Engineering Bowling League.
With folks like Ed and Ron Zama, it was never dull.
They were very good at zinging each other in good humor and always made everyone feel welcome.
To Ed’s family and friends: Ed has touched a lot of lives and has left a lot of good memories and I will never forget him. For those that have met Ed, he will continue to live in our hearts and minds.
To Ed: many of us have lost loved ones and with the cycle of life, one day we will all be together again. Until then, my friend.
I worked with Smitty at Vitro in the Federal Building when I was a Project Engineer and later a Project Manager. Smitty was always a great guy to develop projects with. He was direct and very knowledgeable. You never had to wonder where Smitty stood on a situation. Great guy who was really great to know and work with. He will be missed by all of us.
My sincere sympathies to the family of Ed Smith.
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Edward E. Smith