Paul R. Smith of Lakeville, MN, (age 73), an avid runner for many years, jogged through heaven’s gates on April 3, 2018 to meet his beloved Jesus. His family, celebrating his wholeness after an 11 ½ year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, includes his loving wife of 50 years, Sally Kilander Smith, and their children Heather Dawson (Brian), Holly Speratos (Jason), Hilary Moorlach (Brian), and Luke Smith (Katy), and his thirteen grandchildren: Torrey, Jake, Leah, Zach, Anna, Max, Ben, Matt, Adam, Luke, Charlie, Nathan, and Isaac, and his sister, Emily Fitz Randolph. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Randolph Fitz Smith and Jeane LaGrone Smith, and his sister Kay Delle Koch.
Although I did not know Paul well during our Williston days, I do remember his friendly personality, upright character, and his wonderful talent in English. In retrospect, I wish I had known Paul better. My condolences go to his family.
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve enjoyed reading comments from, and corresponding with, some of my dad’s former classmates. My goodness, he was proud of Williston. Holly
I have some of Paul’s sports photographs. He was an unofficial school photographer and chronicler of our lives. He made his own prints, and I think he charged $1 each for a copy. I was one of his friends visited him at his home in Northampton. I spent time with Paul at our 50th reunion and felt that that was the most rewarding part of my return. My mother died of Alzheimer’s, so I know how difficult it is to have someone you deeply love disappear over time in front of you, as memories and language take flight. My deepest sympathies to Paul’s family. I remember him as one of the most likable fellows in our class.
Thank you for taking the time to comment with memories of my dad. As the child of someone with Alzheimer’s you can appreciate the road we walked. He was the greatest dad I could have ever hoped for and I miss him terribly, but so enjoy remembering him through my memories and yours.