Steve R. Smirnoff

Long time Alaskan Steve R. Smirnoff, 76, of Hot Springs, died Aug. 20, 2016, in his home with his wife, Cindy, by his side.

Smirnoff was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June of 2016 and died two days before his 77th birthday.

Born in Shanghai, China, Aug. 23, 1939, Steve and his Russian-born family were victims of the Sino/Japanese wars.

At age twelve his family and the many cultural sections of Shanghai were all displaced and sought sponsors from all over the world to escape the ravages of war. Canada was the sponsor for Steve and his parents, and Steve was proud to have learned English at age 12. Steve was very musically talented and had a great soothing voice to accompany.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, Steve entered the world of many corporations — to name a few, General Electric, Alascom, Golden Valley in Fairbanks and was on the board of Alasconnect (FAI) from 1999. He was always known for his tenacious search for knowledge and the professional approach for all of Alaska’s corporate missions. Dressed to perfection, Steve donned his suit and tie for all matters.

Steve earned and received his United States citizenship in the early 1980’s. He proudly wore out his passport over and over again.

Steve moved to Alaska in 1970 and was a stalwart in the state’s public relations industry. Steve was “wise and witty,” working with the best of the best in local and national public relations, served as vice president of the state’s PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) chapter and was most instrumental in fund raising for many years. Steve was committed to the highest results for then RCA to Alascom, now AT&T.

Always keeping Alascom’s presence in all aspects of Alaska, was the pioneer of PR for the state’s own satellites serving rural Alaska, which were launched from Cape Canaveral, bringing Alaska in to the modern world of telephony.

In March of 2015 Steve received the Iditarod Trail Founders Award, for meeting with possible sponsors and being a huge part of the world wide classic “The Last Great Race” (Dog) race, the 1,049 mile event, Iditarod.

Steve served for many years as Special Counsel and assistant to Mayors Tom Fink and Rick Mystrom. “Watching Anchorage merge into the international market was very rewarding,” Steve often noted.

On March 13, 1977, Steve was appointed as the United States first consul general to the Russian Federation. Steve has a passion of all things Russian, his bronze plaque and official Seal, served the many Russians seeking new lives in Alaska. See

March 14, by Cary Goldberg. 1997,