Ronald E. Smith, 73

Ronald E. Smith, 73, passed away at Schneidmiller House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on November 10, 2017, surrounded by family.

Ron was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on October 12, 1944, to Ivan “Bud” Smith and Dorothy (Wesselman) Smith. He was raised in Sandpoint and graduated with honors from Sandpoint High School in 1962.

Ron began working in the woods with his father as a boy and worked in the timber industry for much of his life as a logger, mill manager, and mill owner. He started three companies: Northern Log Homes, Northern Technologies Inc., and RS Distributing. He also worked as a purchasing agent for Itron, Telect, and Ponsness-Warren.

During high school Ron worked at the local radio station and also for the ski patrol at Schweit-zer. After high school, Ron traveled to Europe to visit family and friends. In 1965, Ron was drafted into the Army and served as a military policeman in Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart during his service.

In 1968, Ron met Susan M. McNearney and they married June 28, 1969. Ron and Susan worked together to build a life, homes, businesses, and a family. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Ron is survived by his wife, Susan; their children, and grandchildren, Dana and Jeffrey Whitman and their children, Brianna, Sean, and Colleen; Lori and Charles Phillips and their children, Delaney, Kennedy, and Griffin; and Matthew and Michelle Smith and their children, Nickalos (Vanderhoof), Carter and Emerie. He is also survived by his younger sister, Nancy Grieser-Buck.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brothers, Buddy and Richard.

A memorial gathering will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, at the Eagles Lodge in Sandpoint.