Harry Smith Obituary

Pioneer Pete Smith was by far my favorite teacher ever. He opened my eyes to the world. He definitely had a kind and gentle spirit. He will be sorely missed by many. William J Palmer High School class of 1982.

Mr. Smith thank you for all you showed me; "the world is your stage". GOD bless you my friend!

We are so sad to hear of Pete's death. He was a wonderful gentlemen and will be remembered for his large personality and amazing ability to tell stories. We are very sad for the loss his passing brings to the Dix family. May he have the peace he deserves and the good fortune to fine the lady June at his side in heaven.

My father asked myself and my sisters to look and see the guest book for Pete, and I cried tears of joy. Pete and June took us Dix girls in and were grandparents to us, Pete would call me "his secretary" he taught my sisters and I about Cripple Creek, Victor, and the booming business of mining. He took me to get my first Chinese meal at his favorite restaurant, even indulged me when I couldn't find anything I liked. I always loved when he would tell us about our dad, Mark, when he taught him in high school. Pete was a wonderful man and I could not have asked for a better Grandfather! Pete touched many lives he is and will be greatly missed.

WOW...as I read through all the writings in his Guest book. Pete was a very popular man with all his students. I had the privelage of looking after Pete for almost a year, and his sense of humor , he never lost it...his story telling was amazing. He showed compassion for the people in the Nursing home, made sure they were all ok. Mark, you and your family were amazing for looking after Pete and making sure he was ok. I will always remember him fondly. RIP Pete, you had a very interesting life, now it is time for you to rest and join June in the great beyond. God Bless...

I was so sorry to hear this news, as I had just thought about Pete a few days ago. I got to know Pete and June when I worked at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry. We use to host tours around the state, and he and June would usually ride with me. He was always a gentleman, unfailingly curious, and with infinitely fascinating stories. It was a true honor and a privilege to know him.

Thank you for being a great teacher that inspired adventure and love for history! Travel in Joy, Pete!

Mr. Smith certainly made World History interesting to all in his class. He's one teacher that I remember fondly. May he rest in peace!
Carolyn Dover Wright, Palmer High School class of 1970

Probably the best history teacher in the Springs! Thanks for the special attention that you gave all your students, Mr. Smith. You will be fondly remembered by hundreds of us. Class of 1983.

I know your reunion with June and all our family members is a joyous one. I never knew how popular a teacher you were until I read the student memories here, but it doesn't surprise me at all. I remember our tours through your own museum in your home and the stories of your archaelogical digs. You were filled with the enthusiasm that you went on to share with your students following an admirable military career. Good for you, Uncle Pete!

Rest in peace, Uncle Pete.

"Colonel" Smith was by far the best teacher I ever had. One time that I did not study for a test, I wrote very unique answers. I knew I would fail. Instead I got an "A" and was told to stay after class. He told me the "A" was because I put so much effort into the answers and they were amusing. However, he wanted me to study the next time. I studied for all of his tests after that because I knew he cared. He encouraged me to explore creative thinking. Mr. Smith also never let on that he knew my siblings and let me be my own person/student. I loved his unique way of teaching and he made me appreciate history more. His talented and unique approaches to teaching have never been matched. I remember him all the time and talk about him. He was one fine educator! I try very hard to emulate his techniques in my directing/teaching efforts. Rest in Peace dear sir! WJPHS Class of '87

I will never forget "Hamarabi Smith" and his Code of ethics posted on the chalk board. I remember asking him if there was anywhere he had not visited and he would pull out the map of the world and point to it..."but I am going there this summer". His "movies" about world history often involved personal movies with Mr. Smith in his Palmer pride t-shirt in front of the Taj Mahal, etc. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.

What a great teacher. He made history come alive, and gave us all a sense of adventure. RIP

Mr. Smith was a wonderful teacher. Always had great stories to tell with such a passion. He made class so much fun. It is great to see all his students sign his quest book. Gone but never forgotten.
Class of 87

I had him for Colorado History and learned so much about Cripple Creek and how mining really changed the state. He was so positive and I dont think I ever saw him raise his voice in a negative tone. Thank you for all your service to America!!

Pete was a close family friend before I ever had him as my world history teacher. He will be missed. Thanks Pete for all the great memories and stories. He will always be the real Indiana Jones.

Since my high school days at PHS back in the mid-80s, Col. Smith has always been a source of inspiration. He was an honorable, courageous and wise man. He was the type of man boys and men today should aspire to be. I have a character in a book of mine based after him. R.I.P.

Loved Mr. Smith, such wonderful teacher and great friend. He had both myself and my brother at Palmer. We kept in touch even after high school. I miss both Pete and June so much.

Mr. Smith was an awesome teacher who showed genuine care and concern for his students! He always gave great advice. He will be missed!

Mr. Smith was such a kind and very funny person. And one of the best teachers I ever had. I will never forget the amazing stories he told and how much he made history come alive.

Mr. Smith did care about his students. One day before class, he looked me in the eye and gave me a word of advise. I took it and never looked back. He saved me a lifetime of heartache. I think of him often as I daily (for over 30 years) reap the benefits of his wisdom.

Pete Smith was an amazing person and an incredible teacher. Those of us who were fortunate to have sat in his classes were each left with an indellible impression of World History and the importance of one event to a subsequent string of multiple events. He introduced me to Chinese and middle Eastern history with stories that I still recall. His gifts and experiences live on in all of us as we bid our farewells. Blessings to his family and world-wide circle of friends.

Mr. Smith was one of my best teachers at Palmer. Made learning fun - never forget him or his class!!

Mr. Smith was one of my most favorite teachers! He taught with such passion and cared for each of his students. I will never forget how he stepped in as my dad for a father-daughter dance when my dad could not make it. He was awesome! Thank you Mr. Smith...you will be missed.

Palmer High School Class 1984

Mr. Smith, you will be missed. You made history class an amazing learning experience. Thank you for that. Thank you for always being willing to listen.

Loved Mr. Smith, such a great man. I would bump in to various places around town for years after high school. He still remembered his students, and showed genuine interest in what we were doing with our lives long after high school.

Mr. Smith was not only a great teacher, he was wise and great friend to have. He had both my brother and myself at Palmer.
I will miss him, but it is nice to know he is now talking to those who made the history he enjoyed teaching each and every one of us.
Kendra (Swigert) Bonin and Scott Swigert

"I've been everywhere except Antarctica and done everything I can think of. If I missed something let me know and I'll do it.". Pete Smith, 1978 in Workd History

What a fascinating man. He instilled in me a love for history.

Mr. Smith was, by far, one of the best teachers I had throughout school. I attended District 11 schools and he stands out as one of the best of all. In fact, several of Palmer's teachers count among the best I had.

He truly made you experience history in a whole new way.

I saw him a few years ago and was so delighted...he will be missed.

Karen E. Gault Skelly
Palmer High School Class of 1984

What a Great teacher he was! Yes, he made us laugh, yet we learned so much
because he cared. We'll miss you Mr.
Smith, thank you for being an inportant part of our lives!

Loy Acton Bellis, class of 1972
William J. Palmer High School

June, I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr Smith was truly a remarkable person. You and he had such a wonderful life traveling the world. I remember you telling me one day about how you told the fireplace installers how to build the fireplace. The year you had scheduled a camel safari over spring break and Mr Smith was unable to travel. Just all the time the both of you were always traveling. I think that's why he was such a great history teacher.

You are an amazing man with an incrediable life story & yet so humble. You touched so many lives. You were always so kind & caring & put others before yourself. You are loved & will be missed by everyone who knew you. RIP Pete may your new journey be just as amazing...

He was such a sweet and patient teacher.

Mr. Smith was the best teacher at Palmer in the early 80's by far. Rest in Peace.

Unbelievable history this man had and he shared so many stories. Palmer High School was a better place because of him. God Bless you Mr Smith

I had Mr. Smith as my high school history teacher and he was the greatest. Even years later I saw Mr. Smith at my job site and he still remembered me and spoke highly of me to my employers. He was still his kind friendly self. RIP Mr. Smith in the arms of our heavenly father.

Mr. Smith was one of the best history teachers of his time. He had and showed enthusiasm for the subject he loved. He will be missed!

Thanks, Mr. Smith, for being a great history teacher at Palmer High. The field trip you took us on to Victor is still memorable. Too bad you didn't tell us all about your success in the Army; that would have made the history you taught even more fun to learn.

Mr. Smith was the best teacher I ever had and probably one of the best people I have ever met. He encouraged all of his students at Palmer and kept many of us on our toes and me laughing. He and June were a great example of humanity and kindness. You will be missed Mr. Smith! I'm glad you are with June again and exploring a new beginning together.

I went to Palmer in the early 80's. Mr Smith is one of those teachers that you never forget, may he rest in peace.