Memorial Service

1:00 pm  Wednesday August 23, 2017

Valley Community Presbyterian Church

8060 SW Brentwood Street

Portland, Oregon  97225

http://www.valleycommunity.org

Directions

https://goo.gl/maps/ADJuoM7dpcC2

Baird Smith died peacefully in his home of cancer on August 4, 2017. He was born in New York City on January 20, 1940 to Margot Hillberg Smith and E. Baird Smith. He spent many of his early years in New York and Philadelphia. He went to high school in Hinsdale, Illinois where he made many life-long friends.

He enlisted in the army and truly enjoyed his two years in the service. Following his army service he went to work in New York City for Hankscraft until a computer trade show awakened his interest in technology. He returned to college at City College of New York and then he went to work for IBM where he worked for 30 years (in New York and Portland). During his career, he became known for his presentation SOFTWORLD which he presented ln many of the IBM locations around the world. In 1991, he moved to Portland to be near Karen’s family.

After he retired, he became interested in religion and took a 3-year class in theology. He then started to teach classes drawing Science and Religion together (Science and Spirit, Computers and God, World Religions).

Baird was married to his first wife Maggie Dowling Smith until her death in 197 7. He was married to his wife, Karen, for 39 wonderful years, filled with family vacations and parent-only trips. He was the proud father of two daughters, Margaret Smith and Elizabeth Leavitt. He was the grandfather of two boys (William Smith Harriff and Oliver Baird Leavitt). He was brother to Fred Peirce and Liz Lynch. He was a great story teller and loved exaggerations in his storytelling. He was a well -loved and generous man who will be missed by all who knew him for his gentle nature and his great intelligence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Valley Church or to Dignity Village.