David Smith

David Smith passed away on August 10, 2022, at his home in Austin, Texas where he had just recently celebrated his 95th birthday. He was born on July 10, 1927, to Morris and Sadie Smith in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the oldest of three children followed by his brother Norman (Normie) and his sister Pauline. He grew up during The Great Depression and like many who grew up in those lean times, he learned not to waste material things. As a youngster, he had a knack for fixing broken items like old radios that people would throw in the trash. His beloved bubbe Rivka was one of the first to observe what she dubbed his "golden hands" that had the ability to fix broken things. David joined the US Navy in 1944 at age 17 where he served on the USS Vogelgesang in the Atlantic. He started out loading ammo into big guns, but he eventually worked his way into the radio shack where he was able to pursue his passion for electronics. The skills he picked up in the navy and later at Carnegie Technical Institute led to a career in electronics at Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA, and Cameron Iron Works in Houston, TX. In the 1950's and 1960's he was involved in early pioneering work on Numerically Controlled Machines (CNC) which were basically early computer-operated milling machines that were used to manufacture complex equipment like ball valves for oil pipelines and drill bits for oil exploration. He retired before the personal computer revolution in the 1980's, but he caught the wave as a hip retiree. He quickly learned how to specify and build his own computers from parts he could order online (when this was a new concept). He used his home-built computers as a volunteer beta tester for MicroSoft Corp where his role was to evaluate and critique their latest software releases. He was an active beta tester into his early 90's. David used his "golden hands" to fix computers and other devices (like cars and cellphones) for family, friends, and the occasional stranger. He was generous with his time and money and was quick with a joke or a come-back quip. His easy smile will be missed. David is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lynne Smith, who has been by his side through thick and thin. He is also survived by his adult children with his first wife, Audrey Dixon Smith-- Mark Smith, Rachelle Doody, and Eric Smith (and wife Patti) and his grandchildren Rachel Sedita (and husband Frank), Rebecca Smith-Coe (and husband Kevin), Zachary Smith, Clare Krupin (and husband Stephen), Robin Doody, Justin Doody, and Aleah Doody. David was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Stella Sedita and William Krupin.

David Smith

July 10, 1927 - August 10, 2022