Eugene “Gene” Smith passed away peacefully on Sept. 19, 2018, in Littleton, at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Phyllis. He is survived by daughters Sarah (Tim) Wood and Rachel Smith, granddaughter Savannah, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Eugene was born on December 19, 1927, in David City, Nebraska, the last of seven children in his family. He attended schools in David City and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he earned B.A. and M.A. degrees. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity, his senior year. He served in the U.S. Navy for a brief time immediately after World War II in 1946 and served in the U.S. Army for two years from 1952 – 1954. He married Phyllis Maurer on January 31, 1962, in San Francisco. He and Phyllis raised two daughters, Sarah and Rachel.

Gene’s working career was in international higher education. He worked as a programmer for the Institute of International Education in New York and San Francisco, and as foreign student advisor at the University of California, Berkley, and Colorado State University, for the last 19 years of his working life at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He was an active member of his professional organization, the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs, and was honored by that organization with its Marita Houlihan Award and with life membership upon his retirement in 1988.

Gene and Phyllis retired to Bozeman in 1988 where he was able to pursue his passion for fly fishing. He loved Bozeman, and the rivers, valleys, and mountains of Montana, and considered himself privileged to spend his retirement years in such a beautiful place.

Gene will be missed by many and will forever remain one of the Colorado Rockies most dedicated fans.

No services will be held. Memorials in his name may be made to the Madison-Gallatin Chapter, Trout Unlimited, P.O. Box 52, Bozeman, Montana 59771; to the Central Asia Institute, P.O. Box 7209, Bozeman, Montana 59771; or the charity of your choice.