Paul Reed Smith

Paul was born March 9, 1953 in Paducah, Kentucky. He passed away peacefully on June 20, 2008 in Seattle, Washington after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.

Paul was an honors graduate of the University of Kentucky, a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Heidelberg, Germany and a lifelong learner at the University of Washington. He was the founder and coordinator of multiple foreign language groups in Seattle. Paul was fluent in three languages and broadly educated in the arts and sciences. He never stopped learning and commanded an encyclopedic knowledge of the world. His life's work was simplifying and resolving complicated, technological business and organizational challenges. He spent 29 years of dedicated service at the University of Washington with the last 9 years as Technology Director of Facilities Services. Paul loved his work, his life and people and was happiest when he was helping others.

Paul is survived by his wife, Darlene Feikema; stepson, Ben Heely; father, J.C. Smith; two sisters; Paula O'Leary and Becky Smith; two brothers, Robert Buz Smith and Chris Smith; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Thomas Smith, and biological father, Paul Alan Reed.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 from 4PM – 7PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, Washington. Memorial Services at the University of Washington are pending. Paul will be inurned at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Paducah, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are suggested to University of Washington / Suzzalo Library, Box 352900, Seattle, WA 98195.