George Arnold Smith

George attended Parochial school and graduated from Heron Lake Public School in 1935 and was an Eagle Scout in the Heron Lake Boy Scout Troop. As a boy he was close to grandmother and enjoyed accompanying his grandfather, George Behrenfeld, a livestock broker, during cattle buying trips for shipment to the St. Paul, Minneapolis stockyards. He learned to hunt and shoot at an early age at his grandfather’s hunting ranch on Heron Lake.

Upon graduation from Minneapolis Business College with a degree in Accounting he started his first job at First National Bank of Brainerd, MN. He was Scout Master of Troop 42 in Brainerd.

In January 1942 he was inducted into military service at Ft. Snelling, Minneapolis. After basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas, he served with the Army Air Corps’ 49th Fighter Group in Australia.

Upon discharge in June of 1945, George enrolled at the University of Minnesota graduating with a BA degree in 1949. He moved to Seattle where he met and married Betty Lou Hurd in 1951, a happy union spanning 55 years.

George completed 30 years at Boeing Co. in Industrial Engineering, retiring in 1984. After Betty Lou’s retirement from banking George and Betty were able to indulge their passion for travel with land tours in Europe in early 1980’s. When they discovered the delights of cruising in 1988, they enjoyed 42 cruises throughout the world.

George was active in the Seattle community and was a lifetime member of the College Club, a Widower member of the Women’s University Club, and Secretary/Treasurer at Magnolia Heights Condo Association for 33 years. He spent 20 years as a drummer in the Keith Highlander Scottish Bagpipe Band and followed the traditional Jazz Band music circuit.

George enjoyed wonderful family relations with many nieces and nephews, including great nieces and nephews and enjoyed visiting at weddings and holiday functions.

Family and friends will miss the endearing personality, sparkling wit and ever smiling greeting. George leaves a legacy of enthusiasm, and the vibrant spirit of a life well spent.

George is survived by his sister, Virginia Hart of Claremont, California and numerous nephews and nieces.