Bertram Smith

Bertram Smith was an Alaska pioneer. He owned his own construction company, building homes all over Anchorage.

He moved to Big Lake in the late 1970s with the love of his life, Patricia, and built their dream home next to the airstrip. His passion was for flying. He loved flying all over Alaska, even taking his Piper Cherokee down to the Lower 48 a time or two.

He loved his family, treating his stepchildren, Will and Sandi, as if they were his own. He had a soft spot in his heart for his four grand girls who looked up to him like he was their superhero. He had seven great grandchildren, whom he knew were amazing.

Bert saw the good in everyone. He was a kind and gentle man, soft-spoken. He was a devout Catholic, helping build Our Lady of the Lake in Big Lake and could be found there at mass every Saturday evening.

A memorial service is at 11 a.m., Nov. 8 at Our Lady of the Lake.