Sam Fitzgerald Smithdied unexpectedly of an apparent cardiac event on 19 November, 2015 at his apartment in Cornish, NH. He was born July 6, 1959 at the US Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, the son of 1/Lt. Roger P. and Rena J. Smith. In 1960 the family moved to Hanover, NH, his permanent home.

He was a graduate of Hanover High School where he was a member of the football and hockey teams. He played and made important contributions to the formation of the Hanover High Lacrosse Club, which eventually became a popular varsity sport. He was an Eagle Scout, and enjoyed white water kayaking.

He attended Plymouth State College, and then moved to Salt Lake City Utah where he supported himself in construction and on various ski patrols. All his life he struggled with severe dyslexia. In Utah he began attending a series of community colleges where he found computers to be helpful in his studies. After many struggles he eventually became a Gold Key Honors Graduate of the University of Utah with a major in Political Science.

On his return to Hanover, he worked for Buildings and Grounds at Dartmouth College, and took classes and examinations to become qualified as an EMT. At the time of his death he was a winter house sitter in Cornish, a member of the Lake Sunapee ski patrol and an EMT with Golden Cross Ambulance, Inc. of Claremont.

He is survived by a sister, Joan Poitras of Ashland, NH, a brother, Ben Smith of Scotts Depot, WV and his parents in Lebanon, NH.

Although his life was cut short, it was filled with accomplishments and disappointments. Most importantly, he leaves behind a wide and varied circle of friends.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, 40 College Street in Hanover, NH 03755.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.