David Dean Smith (81), died in Lompoc, California on February 11th, 2016. He was born to Robert Dean Smith and Lillian Beulah Robinson Smith on July 26th, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri, and was the last survivor of the R. D. Smith family. He completed grades K-12 in the Kansas City, Missouri public schools, spent 4 years in the US Air Force, and did undergraduate and graduate schooling for 8 years at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 1960 he married Joan Francis Allen Smith; this union lasted 46 years until her death in 2006. In 1965 they moved to Lompoc, California where they stayed until their respective deaths.

David taught the physical sciences and mathematics at Lompoc Senior High School from 1965 until his retirement in November, 1989. Over that span he quickly became a consummate teacher. For many years he was the advisor for the school's Honor's Society, and coordinated the timers for many track and cross country meets. David spent most school day evenings and a good many weekend hours grading papers, re-evaluating how to become a more effective educator, taking on the challenge of an underperforming student, and celebrating those who were succeeding. In doing so for many of his former students "Mr. Smith" transcended from an academic to something much more.

David was revered for his unwavering devotion to letter writing, a practice lying entirely within the bounds of legendary. His claim of only buying 2 or 3 rolls of 100 stamps each year to be used for the sole purpose of letter writing is largely believed to be a modest underestimation by those he corresponded with.

He embraced the concept of having a small resource footprint by consuming less to live a more meaningful, healthy, and sustainable life. He also thought of himself as being unremarkable, however his many friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and former students would unanimously and heartily disagree. David believed that in his life in general, and his marriage in particular, that he was given more than he deserved. He was always appreciative and in awe of the amount of work that women (mothers) do in a day. He was a supporter of all women who don't often get the respect that they deserve. He firmly believed that women deserved to be treated better in all aspects of life for their hard work and dedication to their families.

David is survived by his and Joan's only child, Arthur Edward Smith, daughter-in-law Mary Ellen Eckstrom, and grandson's Casey Robert Smith and Zachary Roman Smith, all living in Pierre, South Dakota, sister-in-law Virginia Foster living in Maine, several nieces and nephews across the continent, and many, many friends.

David wished to have no funeral and to have his and Joan's ashes returned to the soil together. A memorial will be scheduled for late summer in Lompoc. In lieu of flowers or condolences, please donate a book or a gift to your local library in his name or write a letter to someone you care about.

"Remember that life lies all within this present, as 'twere but a hair's-breadth of time. As for the rest, the past is gone, the future yet unseen." - Marcus Aurelius, (120-181 AD)