Philip Frere Smith

July 16, 1948 - February 4, 2018

Philip passed away at age 69 of complications from duodenum cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted family during his departure from life and experienced a peaceful transition. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 33 years, Lori Smith, and his daughters, Heather Smith (Bettini) and Jennifer Smith. He was a father-in-law to Andrew Bettini and proud grandfather to Logan Philip Bettini.

Philip was born on July 16, 1948 to now deceased Sylvanus Smith and Shirley Johnson in Vancouver, WA. He was predeceased by his step-parents, Robert Jepperson and Agnes Smith, and his brother, David Smith. He is survived by his brother, Christopher Jepperson, brother Timothy Smith, sister Teresa Brill, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Philip grew up in San Diego, CA with his mother and step-father, and in the summers he stayed with his father and step-mother in Portland, OR. Philip was a distinguished scholar and was known for his intelligence and wit. He was a proud graduate of Brown University, where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Philip participated in a Master’s program at UC Berkeley. He had a long career as a computer programmer at Bank of America, Blue Cross, and Federal Reserve Bank, where he worked for 24 years before retiring. Philip enjoyed his early retirement at age 58, which gave him the opportunity to indulge in his many passions. Family and friends remember Philip for his gift to make others laugh and willingness to help.

Philip had a love for adventure and beauty. He was an avid golfer from a young age and went on annual golf getaways with his close friends for over 20 years. He loved gardening, traveling, playing bridge, family genealogy, and collecting stamps. He was well-read and enjoyed learning German and studying astronomy. He had a passion for outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing, hiking, and camping. Music was important to Philip, and he sang in a choir and played cello and guitar. He was also known for his mechanical aptitude and took pride in being a do-it-yourself handyman. He could repair almost anything!

Philip was a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and attended the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin (UUCM) for over 25 years, where he contributed to various church committees. Philip was a strong advocate for reducing population growth and protecting the environment. Donations in his memory can be made to the organizations Negative Population Growth and Planned Parenthood. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.