Chadwick H. Smith, 82, died at his home on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, after a long illness. He was born in Irvington, N.J., on July 5, 1925, to J. Miller Smith and Elvira Starz Smith. He moved to Helena with his parents as a young boy and attended Central Grade School and Helena High School, graduating in 1943. He attended the University of Montana at Missoula until entering the U.S. Army in 1944, where he served for three years during World War II as an infantry lieutenant in the European Theater of Operations. After World War II, he returned to Missoula, earning a bachelor's degree in business in 1949. He entered law school at UM, earning his LLB in 1951 and his JD in 1970.
He entered the practice of law part-time with his father and uncles, Paul W. Smith and David R. Smith, while working part-time as chief deputy county attorney for Lewis and Clark County.
He then served as attorney for the Montana Unemployment Compensation Commission (now known as the State Department of Labor) from 1952 to 1955, and was appointed and served as director of the UCC from 1955 to 1960. He then served as executive secretary to Montana Gov. J. Hugo Aronson from 1960 to 1961.
Chad joined the Smith Law Firm in Helena as a full-time partner in 1961. During his years in private practice, he also served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Montana with the Highway Commission. He served as an attorney for the Montana Fish and Game Commission and the Montana Real Estate Commission.
He later served as attorney for the Montana School Board Association and for the Montana Hospital Association for over 20 years, handling their lobby of the Montana Legislature during those years, all while serving a large clientele of individuals. Chad maintained a work ethic unrivaled in his profession, retiring in 1993. The Smith Law Firm still continues today.
Chad was a longtime member of the Montana Club and the American Legion. He was a member of the Helena Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as president from 1967 to 1968, and as Rotary District Governor from 1996 to 1997. In 1990, he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of service to the Rotary. He is also a life member of Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, rising to the highest office in the local and state lodges. He was appointed as a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Grand Aerie, FOE, and traveled all over the U.S. solving problems and settling disputes for the organization. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on many church committees and as a church elder. His volunteerism included serving on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the Board of Directors of Shodair Hospital, the Metropolitan Dinner Club, Helena Community Chest (now United Way, where he served as a legal counsel for 10 years) and the Boy Scouts of America. Chad was also a member of the Helena Algeria Shrine, the Order of Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters. He served the lodge as Wills and Gifts Chairman for many years. He proudly marched in many Shrine parades wearing his fez and playing his trumpet. Chad worked as legal counsel for Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles in establishing Penkay Eagles Manor in 1969. He had more than 30 years of service assisting them in securing funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Developement Corporation, providing the first senior citizen apartment complex in Helena, which is still in service.
Chad was active in Republican state politics and was selected by the Montana Republican Central Committee to serve as chief attorney for the Montana Republican Party from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, he was appointed chairman of the Rules Committee of the Montana Republican Party and served until 1973.
In 1972, he was selected as a first delegate for Montana to the Republican National Convention in Miami. He was listed in "Who's Who in American Politics," 1975-1978.
Chad married Dolores Johnson in Helena in September 1949. She preceded him in death in 1993. They had two daughters, Deborah and Rebecca. Deborah preceded him in death in 1996.
In July 1995, Chad married Rena Harrison in Helena. They began spending winters in Florida in 2000, and in 2005 moved to The Villages in central Florida to make their home full-time. Chad is survived by his wife, Rena of The Villages; daughter, Rebecca (Scott) Smith Currey, of Boulder, Colo.; and several cousins in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, The Villages, with the Rev. Denny Dennison of the North Lake Presbyterian Church officiating.
Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.
Published in the Helena Independent Record on 10/16/2007.
He entered the practice of law part-time with his father and uncles, Paul W. Smith and David R. Smith, while working part-time as chief deputy county attorney for Lewis and Clark County.
He then served as attorney for the Montana Unemployment Compensation Commission (now known as the State Department of Labor) from 1952 to 1955, and was appointed and served as director of the UCC from 1955 to 1960. He then served as executive secretary to Montana Gov. J. Hugo Aronson from 1960 to 1961.
Chad joined the Smith Law Firm in Helena as a full-time partner in 1961. During his years in private practice, he also served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Montana with the Highway Commission. He served as an attorney for the Montana Fish and Game Commission and the Montana Real Estate Commission.
He later served as attorney for the Montana School Board Association and for the Montana Hospital Association for over 20 years, handling their lobby of the Montana Legislature during those years, all while serving a large clientele of individuals. Chad maintained a work ethic unrivaled in his profession, retiring in 1993. The Smith Law Firm still continues today.
Chad was a longtime member of the Montana Club and the American Legion. He was a member of the Helena Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as president from 1967 to 1968, and as Rotary District Governor from 1996 to 1997. In 1990, he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of service to the Rotary. He is also a life member of Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, rising to the highest office in the local and state lodges. He was appointed as a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Grand Aerie, FOE, and traveled all over the U.S. solving problems and settling disputes for the organization. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on many church committees and as a church elder. His volunteerism included serving on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the Board of Directors of Shodair Hospital, the Metropolitan Dinner Club, Helena Community Chest (now United Way, where he served as a legal counsel for 10 years) and the Boy Scouts of America. Chad was also a member of the Helena Algeria Shrine, the Order of Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters. He served the lodge as Wills and Gifts Chairman for many years. He proudly marched in many Shrine parades wearing his fez and playing his trumpet. Chad worked as legal counsel for Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles in establishing Penkay Eagles Manor in 1969. He had more than 30 years of service assisting them in securing funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Developement Corporation, providing the first senior citizen apartment complex in Helena, which is still in service.
Chad was active in Republican state politics and was selected by the Montana Republican Central Committee to serve as chief attorney for the Montana Republican Party from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, he was appointed chairman of the Rules Committee of the Montana Republican Party and served until 1973.
In 1972, he was selected as a first delegate for Montana to the Republican National Convention in Miami. He was listed in "Who's Who in American Politics," 1975-1978.
Chad married Dolores Johnson in Helena in September 1949. She preceded him in death in 1993. They had two daughters, Deborah and Rebecca. Deborah preceded him in death in 1996.
In July 1995, Chad married Rena Harrison in Helena. They began spending winters in Florida in 2000, and in 2005 moved to The Villages in central Florida to make their home full-time. Chad is survived by his wife, Rena of The Villages; daughter, Rebecca (Scott) Smith Currey, of Boulder, Colo.; and several cousins in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, The Villages, with the Rev. Denny Dennison of the North Lake Presbyterian Church officiating.
Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.
Published in the Helena Independent Record on 10/16/2007.
Chadwick H. Smith, 82, died at his home on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, after a long illness. He was born in Irvington, N.J., on July 5, 1925, to J. Miller Smith and Elvira Starz Smith. He moved to Helena with his parents as a young boy and attended Central Grade School and Helena High School, graduating in 1943. He attended the University of Montana at Missoula until entering the U.S. Army in 1944, where he served for three years during World War II as an infantry lieutenant in the European Theater of Operations. After World War II, he returned to Missoula, earning a bachelor's degree in business in 1949. He entered law school at UM, earning his LLB in 1951 and his JD in 1970.
He entered the practice of law part-time with his father and uncles, Paul W. Smith and David R. Smith, while working part-time as chief deputy county attorney for Lewis and Clark County.
He then served as attorney for the Montana Unemployment Compensation Commission (now known as the State Department of Labor) from 1952 to 1955, and was appointed and served as director of the UCC from 1955 to 1960. He then served as executive secretary to Montana Gov. J. Hugo Aronson from 1960 to 1961.
Chad joined the Smith Law Firm in Helena as a full-time partner in 1961. During his years in private practice, he also served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Montana with the Highway Commission. He served as an attorney for the Montana Fish and Game Commission and the Montana Real Estate Commission.
He later served as attorney for the Montana School Board Association and for the Montana Hospital Association for over 20 years, handling their lobby of the Montana Legislature during those years, all while serving a large clientele of individuals. Chad maintained a work ethic unrivaled in his profession, retiring in 1993. The Smith Law Firm still continues today.
Chad was a longtime member of the Montana Club and the American Legion. He was a member of the Helena Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as president from 1967 to 1968, and as Rotary District Governor from 1996 to 1997. In 1990, he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of service to the Rotary. He is also a life member of Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, rising to the highest office in the local and state lodges. He was appointed as a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Grand Aerie, FOE, and traveled all over the U.S. solving problems and settling disputes for the organization. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on many church committees and as a church elder. His volunteerism included serving on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the Board of Directors of Shodair Hospital, the Metropolitan Dinner Club, Helena Community Chest (now United Way, where he served as a legal counsel for 10 years) and the Boy Scouts of America. Chad was also a member of the Helena Algeria Shrine, the Order of Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters. He served the lodge as Wills and Gifts Chairman for many years. He proudly marched in many Shrine parades wearing his fez and playing his trumpet. Chad worked as legal counsel for Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles in establishing Penkay Eagles Manor in 1969. He had more than 30 years of service assisting them in securing funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Developement Corporation, providing the first senior citizen apartment complex in Helena, which is still in service.
Chad was active in Republican state politics and was selected by the Montana Republican Central Committee to serve as chief attorney for the Montana Republican Party from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, he was appointed chairman of the Rules Committee of the Montana Republican Party and served until 1973.
In 1972, he was selected as a first delegate for Montana to the Republican National Convention in Miami. He was listed in "Who's Who in American Politics," 1975-1978.
Chad married Dolores Johnson in Helena in September 1949. She preceded him in death in 1993. They had two daughters, Deborah and Rebecca. Deborah preceded him in death in 1996.
In July 1995, Chad married Rena Harrison in Helena. They began spending winters in Florida in 2000, and in 2005 moved to The Villages in central Florida to make their home full-time. Chad is survived by his wife, Rena of The Villages; daughter, Rebecca (Scott) Smith Currey, of Boulder, Colo.; and several cousins in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, The Villages, with the Rev. Denny Dennison of the North Lake Presbyterian Church officiating.
Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.
Published in the Helena Independent Record on 10/16/2007.
He entered the practice of law part-time with his father and uncles, Paul W. Smith and David R. Smith, while working part-time as chief deputy county attorney for Lewis and Clark County.
He then served as attorney for the Montana Unemployment Compensation Commission (now known as the State Department of Labor) from 1952 to 1955, and was appointed and served as director of the UCC from 1955 to 1960. He then served as executive secretary to Montana Gov. J. Hugo Aronson from 1960 to 1961.
Chad joined the Smith Law Firm in Helena as a full-time partner in 1961. During his years in private practice, he also served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Montana with the Highway Commission. He served as an attorney for the Montana Fish and Game Commission and the Montana Real Estate Commission.
He later served as attorney for the Montana School Board Association and for the Montana Hospital Association for over 20 years, handling their lobby of the Montana Legislature during those years, all while serving a large clientele of individuals. Chad maintained a work ethic unrivaled in his profession, retiring in 1993. The Smith Law Firm still continues today.
Chad was a longtime member of the Montana Club and the American Legion. He was a member of the Helena Rotary Club for more than 30 years, serving as president from 1967 to 1968, and as Rotary District Governor from 1996 to 1997. In 1990, he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of service to the Rotary. He is also a life member of Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles, rising to the highest office in the local and state lodges. He was appointed as a member of the Grand Tribunal of the Grand Aerie, FOE, and traveled all over the U.S. solving problems and settling disputes for the organization. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on many church committees and as a church elder. His volunteerism included serving on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the Board of Directors of Shodair Hospital, the Metropolitan Dinner Club, Helena Community Chest (now United Way, where he served as a legal counsel for 10 years) and the Boy Scouts of America. Chad was also a member of the Helena Algeria Shrine, the Order of Scottish Rite and the Royal Order of Jesters. He served the lodge as Wills and Gifts Chairman for many years. He proudly marched in many Shrine parades wearing his fez and playing his trumpet. Chad worked as legal counsel for Helena Aerie No. 16, Fraternal Order of Eagles in establishing Penkay Eagles Manor in 1969. He had more than 30 years of service assisting them in securing funding from the Federal Housing and Urban Developement Corporation, providing the first senior citizen apartment complex in Helena, which is still in service.
Chad was active in Republican state politics and was selected by the Montana Republican Central Committee to serve as chief attorney for the Montana Republican Party from 1964 to 1970. In 1970, he was appointed chairman of the Rules Committee of the Montana Republican Party and served until 1973.
In 1972, he was selected as a first delegate for Montana to the Republican National Convention in Miami. He was listed in "Who's Who in American Politics," 1975-1978.
Chad married Dolores Johnson in Helena in September 1949. She preceded him in death in 1993. They had two daughters, Deborah and Rebecca. Deborah preceded him in death in 1996.
In July 1995, Chad married Rena Harrison in Helena. They began spending winters in Florida in 2000, and in 2005 moved to The Villages in central Florida to make their home full-time. Chad is survived by his wife, Rena of The Villages; daughter, Rebecca (Scott) Smith Currey, of Boulder, Colo.; and several cousins in Montana, Idaho and Washington.
A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 11 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, The Villages, with the Rev. Denny Dennison of the North Lake Presbyterian Church officiating.
Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.
Published in the Helena Independent Record on 10/16/2007.
