Passing of Greg Smith another community loss

The loss of one community advocate in a year can be a blow for any community. But this week Fort Smith lost two men who were often recognized for working above and beyond to improve the city.

Greg Smith, a partner with the Fort Smith law firm of Pryor, Robertson, Beasley & Smith, passed away Saturday (Mar. 10) at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was 60.

Bert Wright died Sunday morning (Mar. 11) after a sudden and short battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). He was 77. (Link here to read more about Wright’s work.)

Smith was known for his leadership with key community groups, to include the Fort Smith Public Library System, the Fort Smith Museum of History and the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club.

‘BIG HEART’
He returned to Fort Smith after graduating in 1977 with a law degree from Georgetown University. Since 2000, he has been a partner with Pryor, Robertson, Beasley & Smith.

“We absolutely hate to lose him,” said law partner John Beasley. “He was a good guy with a big heart.”

Partner Tom Robertson said Smith’s passing will certainly be felt beyond the law firm.

“We’re going to miss him, and the community will miss him,” Robertson said Monday.

Most recently, Smith was the leader behind a citizen-driven effort — Parks Partners — to improve the Fort Smith trail system. He was a driving force in the 18-month-long project to build the Old Railroad Trail near Free Ferry Road, which opened in April 2011. Through the prodding of Smith and other citizens, the city of Fort Smith commissioned in 2004 a Fort Smith Trails and Greenways Plan that identified 22 trail corridors, which would serve to connect the city and provide amenities for the citizenry.

NOBLE WORK
Smith was recognized in August 2011 by The City Wire for his efforts to develop the city’s trail system. Smith also was recently awarded the 2011 Noble Cause Award for his efforts to improve the community by helping others. A Noble Cause ceremony honoring Smith’s work is set for 5:30 p.m., Mar. 29, at Second Street Live! in downtown Fort Smith.

“This is a loss, a really big loss for us,” said Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders. “Greg, just like Bert (Wright), gave of his own time, money and energy. He worked so hard … to give back to the community.”

Sanders said Smith quietly did much to help underprivileged children in the area.

OBITUARY FOR GREG SMITH
Gregory Giles Smith, 60, died March 10, 2012 surrounded by friends and family at the University of Oklahoma Medical center in Oklahoma City, OK.

A visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 15th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 16th at First Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm.

Greg was born on September 1, 1951 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to the late Elmer and Dorothy Smith. He attended elementary school, junior high and high school all in Fort Smith, and subsequently attended college and law school at Georgetown University where he graduated in 1977. After completing his degrees, Greg dedicated himself to being a faithful and hardworking member of the Fort Smith community.

As a thirty-year attorney and partner at Robertson, Beasley, Smith & Cowan, PLLC law firm, Greg often provided pro bono services to the Arkansas Valley Lawyers for the Elderly.

Outside of his profession, Greg also served as a Board Member for Arkansas Legal Services, Habitat for Humanity, the Fort Smith Public Library, the Sebastian County Democratic Central Committee, the Community Rescue Mission, the Fort Smith Museum of History, and the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club.

As a true lover of the outdoors and everything natural, Greg’s most devoted passion lay in the beautification of Fort Smith, the town he grew up in and loved. Greg organized a group of citizens to form a nonprofit organization, Park Partners, and since 2007 he and various Fort Smithians, among them the town’s Eagle Scouts and community service volunteers, cleared and restored the Ruth Armstrong Nature area next to Creekmore Park and the Old Railroad Trail that starts at Free Ferry Road and ends at Park Avenue.

For his services, Greg was recently awarded the Noble Cause Award in 2011, which honors those who are making notable efforts to improve their community by helping others. There will be a ceremony honoring Greg’s work on March 29th at Second Street Live at 5:30 PM.

Greg is survived by his wife, Sue Plattner-Smith; five children, Helen Smith, Adam Plattner (spouse, Nancy Plattner), Ross Plattner (fiancé, Diana Frieberg), Brad Plattner (fiancé Brandi Timmerman), and Seth Plattner; sister, Marsha Smith (spouse, Rainer Huemer; daughter, Madeline Smith-Huemer); and three grandchildren, Jack Plattner, Liam Plattner, and Owen Plattner, with Charlie Plattner on the way.

Donations may be made to Park Partners of Fort Smith, Inc, P.O. Box 934, Fort Smith, AR 72902; and The Fort Smith Girls and Boys Club.

The family also graciously asks that if you haven’t already, please consider becoming an organ donor. The degree to which one individual’s sacrifice can help a family in need is, indeed, immeasurable.