Herald (Smitty) Smith

HERALD SMITH

Cedar Rapids

Herald Alvin (Smitty) Smith died Monday, July 27, 2015, in his home on the shores of Green Bay, Wis., surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Miriam, who shared his adventurous life for 69 years. Also surviving are his children, Sharon (Bob) Konchar, John (Dyan) Smith, Susan (Jay) Johnson and Jim (Lisa) Smith; along with 13 grandchildren, Jon (Sharon) Konchar, Lisa Konchar, Michael (Janice) Konchar, Ian (Delia) Smith, Cortney (Jonathan) Howgate, Christine Smith, Ben Johnson, Erin Johnson, Tad Johnson, Brittney (Ivan Bridenhaggen) Smith, Matthew Smith, Summer Smith and Stuart Smith. He had 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Smitty was born on Dec. 23, 1923, in Beaconsfield, Iowa, to Herald Alvin and Ida Viola Smith and lived most of his life in Cedar Rapids. He attended University of Iowa and Coe College.

He started CRST in 1955 in a chicken coop and grew it into a national trucking company before he retired in 1978. In 1972, he and Miriam bought and grew Bayview Resort in Ellison Bay, Wis., where they spent their summers with their entire family and many friends. Although Smitty spent countless hours growing these businesses, family was always the focus of his life.

Smitty was chairman of the Iowa Motor Association in 1983 and on the board of directors of the American Trucking Association for many years. He was instrumental in helping start Four Oaks. He served on the board of Cornell College and was a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club. He was on the Cedar Rapids Bus Commission and transported pineapples for the Pineapple Ball. Whenever someone asked for his help - he responded.

There will be a celebration of his life later this fall.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin Hospice or Four Oaks.