Frank A. Smith

Frank W. Smith - Devoted husband of Cynthia A. Smith and longtime resident of Canon City, passed away Monday morning, January 6, 2025.  Frank was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Curtis Ripley and Ruth (Sturtevant) Smith on November 17, 1929.  He grew up in St. Albans, VT, attending Hotchkiss School 1946-1948, Yale University 1948-1952, and University of Vermont 1956-1959.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Anne, Edward, and Delight (Teenie); Frank was the youngest.  He had three children, Stuart, Allison, and Rachel as well as two stepdaughters, Allison (Alderman) and Heidi (Tilghman), and their children.  Frank and Cindy met in 1980 in Colorado Springs where they were married in December of that year.  During their forty-two years together, Frank and Cindy lived the sentiment inscribed in their wedding rings, "You'll never walk alone".  

Frank loved to be outdoors.  He was a certified ski instructor from 1956-2002, working at A-Basin, Loveland, the Broadmoor, and Monarch ski areas.  He enjoyed competitive ski racing for 55 years, earning many awards.  He was also a private pilot with a Commercial license from 1956-present.  During his life, he owned three airplanes, all Cessna 170-B models, and flew to all four corners of the US, accumulating over 4000 hours of flight time.  Proud to be a Marine, he served as a commissioned officer in USMC from 1952 to 1972, retiring with the rank of Major.  He was also a USMC Reserve Rifle Team member from 1956 to 1970, earning many awards in competition shooting.  He worked as a civil engineer from 1952 to 1972, working on the entire East Coast, Utah, and Colorado.

Frank is also survived by his numerous nieces and nephews as well as Cindy’s sister, Nancy Walrath, and her husband, Barry.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank A. Smith, please visit our floral store.