David Guest Smith, Sr.

David Guest Smith, 86, passed away peacefully with family by his side on November 28, 2023 following a short illness. Born August 10, 1937 in Highland Falls, New York to George Perry Smith and Nanette Guest Smith, Dave grew up in Decatur, Illinois. It was here he played sousaphone in the marching band, graduated from Decatur High School in 1954, and Millikin University in 1958 with a degree in engineering.

With a love of flying, upon graduation from Millikin, Dave entered the Air Force as an active member until 1959 and continued to serve for 10-years more as an Air Force Reservist on medical evacuation transports. A life-long passion, Dave would always jump at the opportunity to get up in the sky regardless of how or why. When somebody would visit, after asking how their flight was, Dave would always follow up with “what type of aircraft were you on?” It is during his time in the reserves that Dave met his future wife, Alice Quick, marrying in New York in August of 1968.

Employed by IBM in the late 60’s, Dave worked in IT before there was such a thing, eventually moving to Quincy, Illinois, where he and Alice started a family. In 1970 they moved to the Chicago area where he worked as a Systems Analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank. Known as “Doctor Dave” by his co-workers for his regular newsletter help column, he worked at the Federal Reserve for 25-years until his retirement in 1995. In 2000, Dave and Alice moved to Hertford, North Carolina, where they built their retirement home and fell in love with their small community. An active member of Episcopal Church of Hertford Choir and the Albemarle Chorale, Dave enjoyed singing in local concerts and did so up until a year before his passing.

Sailing was another passion and Dave owned several small sailboats throughout his life, preferring them to motorboats, which he referred to as “stink pots.” As member of several sailing clubs, Dave enjoyed racing his boats locally and crewed once in the Chicago to Mackinac race. But he was equally happy simply puttering around on Lake Michigan or the Albemarle Sound of North Carolina.

Dave is survived by his wife, Alice; brother Robert; two sons David and Michael; and grandson Nathaniel. He will be laid to rest in Hertford, North Carolina. For additional information or for service details, please reach out to the family directly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to the following 501c3 charitable organizations. The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. The Albemarle Chorale, Attn: Treasurer, 305 N. Broad Street, Edenton NC 27932.