Harold Smith was born on March 15, 1926 to Orville and Sarah (Fetzer) Smith on the family farm north of Gregory, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory.
Harold attended rural school north of Dallas through the fourth grade. He then attended school in Gregory and graduated from high school in 1943. Harold joined the United States Army in 1944 and served at Fort Lawton, WA, where he joined the personnel group on the base. Among the many details of his job were the preparing of discharge papers for returning servicemen and ordering the many supplies needed on the base. Harold was honorably discharged in 1946.
Harold made the decision that he wanted to become a teacher. He enrolled at the University of South Dakota-Springfield through the G.I. Bill and completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in English education in 1949 graduating summa cum laude. He had reached the first part of his goal. He later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Wyoming in 1954.
Harold began teaching in Colome and Winner as a high school teacher. In addition to his English classes he directed speech activities including declam and plays. Harold began teaching at USD/Springfield during the fall of 1956. Harold married Dolores Klima on June 4, 1966 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Harold continued teaching at USD/S until the life of the institution ended in 1984 due to legislative actions. After the closure, Harold joined the faculty at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD.
The final step in his teaching journey was in River Forest, IL where he taught at Concordia University. The experience of living in the Chicago area proved to be an exciting and rewarding way to end his career. Thus, the final goal was completed.
Harold enjoyed gardening and raising beautiful flowers. He shared tomatoes and other vegetables from his garden with friends and family.
Harold passed away November 19, 2015 at Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory at the age of 89 years.
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