Albert William Smith

October 10, 1936 - September 4, 2018

Albert William Smith, a resident of Santa Cruz, CA and Lake Tahoe, CA passed away on September 4, 2018. Born to Albert Edward Smith and Mary Schaw Smith in Sacramento, CA on October 10, 1936, Albert was one of two children. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1958. Having lost his father at an early age, Al was determined to live life on his own terms and to march to the beat of his own drummer.

Al invested independently in small companies. He did so with a desire to see the underdog win, and because he enjoyed the creative ideas and camaraderie afforded by many talented entrepreneurs.

With a large stature (6’ 5”) and abounding curiosity and intellect, he tended to create an indelible impression. He was well versed in California history and art and had a special appreciation for the High Sierras. He loved genealogy, music, and road trips. Covering highways and backroads of California, Al gathered heaps of details large and small. His accumulation of local lore was spun into long yarns shared with willing and unsuspecting listeners alike. The book Neighborhoods, A Collage is a tribute to these adventures.

Living in Santa Cruz, Lake Tahoe and Kauai Hawaii, he maintained long-term relationships with people through regular breakfast meetings, social gatherings and long conversations. From time to time, he might throw out a comment to cause a stir.

This summer he greeted his new great grandson and daughter-in-law from Japan with great enthusiasm and a wide smile. Albert W. Smith passed away in Truckee, CA with family members at his side. He is survived by his wife Louisa Baumann Smith; his four children from his first marriage, Kristin Minges, Elisa Smith (Alex Harding), Hilary Smith, and Timothy Smith (Jeanne), grandchildren Rachel and David Minges (Miki); Lily and Will Harding; Grant and Blake Smith; and great grandson Akito Minges; his three step-children Laura Marx, John Suhr (Dawn) and Charlotte Cruz (Stephen); step grandchildren Justin and Charlotte Marx; and William, Lassen and Charlie Suhr; and his sister Ann Soske.

The family wishes Al well on his current journey and will continue to listen for his unique drumbeat.