Herbert L. Smith

Herbert L. Smith was born on July 1, 1938 in Glenwood, Iowa. Words and music were the foundation of his life, and he first found the piano at church, where at a very early age he began to play hymns by ear. In high school he followed his oldest sister, Violet, along with other family members, to Nampa, Idaho. There he graduated from Nampa Christian High School and began his studies in English, while also seriously pursuing piano studies at Northwest Nazarene College (NNC). At NNC he met his future wife, Glenda Anderson, accompanying her gospel trio as they performed for inmates at the Idaho state penitentiary. Herb and Glenda married in her home state, Minnesota, in 1962. Their daughter Melanie was born there in 1963. They returned to Idaho for several years and Herb began a lifelong career as a church pianist, organist and choir director for many denominations. In 1969 the family moved sight unseen to Modesto, California, for teaching positions in Modesto schools. Herb continued to teach junior high and high school English for many years, while also giving private piano lessons. In the early 1980s Herb began teaching English as a Second Language to international students at Cal State University, Stanislaus. That led to years of adventure supervising English teachers in Cairo, Egypt; Doha, Qatar; and La Rioja, Argentina, under the auspices of the Fulbright Foundation. Herb traveled widely around the Middle East and Europe during this time as well. Returning to California in 1998, he began to write and publish works of fiction, memoirs, poetry and several plays and musicals, some of which were performed locally under his direction. Herb and Glenda retired to Eugene, Oregon in 2004, where they reunited with dear friends from their NNC days. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December, 2022. Wherever he went, Herb always made new friends. These friendships, whether founded on music, literature, or mentoring remained a source of inspiration and joy throughout his lifetime. In his final months in assisted living back in California, Herb continued to inspire others and find fulfillment through music. He helped his caregivers to improve their English, and he greatly enjoyed playing the piano for those in the memory care unit at his facility. He was nominated by the residents of his community to serve as their president just before he died. Herb passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023 in Pinole, California. He is survived by his wife Glenda, his daughter Melanie (Bill Pine), his sisters Gloria Smith and Carol Phelps (Neil Phelps), his brother Don Smith (Marti Smith), five nieces and four nephews, and countless friends and students around the world. A memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Thursday, May 25 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Eugene, Oregon.