HAROLD BERMESTER SMITH

Harold Bermester Smith, 91, died on June 11, 2003.

He was born on May 22, 1912, in Hayden, Routt County, Colo. One of his earliest adventures was working for the Civilian Conservation Corps where he helped build the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. In his early career, Mr. Smith was a horse trainer and lumberjack. The majority of his life was spent as a practical geologist and hard rock miner. Work in the mines led him to Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona and Utah.

Mr. Smith came to Alaska in the early '60s, and, according to this family, the "Spell of the Yukon" claimed him from then on. For the next 40-some years he spent his time working and traversing the great state of Alaska from Bornite to Bethel, from Hatcher Pass to the Kuskokwim. Had he been a writer he would have woven the greatest of all Alaska novels -- replete with the wildest tales of the old sourdoughs. "And many would have been true!" his family said.

When the struggle for gold had to be left to a younger generation, he found great happiness in Homer and, most recently, in Palmer. His last years were made more full by a trip to Australia and learning gold-smithing at age 80. In his 91st year he planted yet another garden, reminding us that life goes on. Mr. Smith's last evening was spent tending to the vegetables he so dearly loved.

His dear friend George Williams will honor him by spreading his ashes in Grasshopper Valley, in the Knik Glacier area.

He was preceded in death by his mother Edith Eleanor Pultz, his father Albert Martin Smith and his four brothers, Joseph, Kenneth, Lyle, and Wayne. He is survived by his sister Edith of South Carolina, and by his six children, Evelyn Hazelwood (Bernard C.), Kermit Smith (Julie), Bonnie Teninty (Richard), Connie Greco (William), Vonme Lowry (James), Fairleen Brady (Michael), three step-children, Kay Tomlin, George Psenda, and Richard Psenda. Harold has 23 grandchildren and 22 great grand children.

His family added "We, his children, know we cannot name each of his dear friends. But to each of you we give our heart felt thanks for making Alaska the community and home he could not leave."