Henry A. Smith

No services were held for Bishop resident Henry Alfred "Hank"
Smith, 87.

Born on Sept. 25, 1915 in Bloomfield, Ind.; Mr. Smith died on 
Oct. 16 at his home in Bishop.

The youngest child of Henry Donelson Smith and Mellie Josephine
(Hayes) Smith, at age three, Hank travelled by rail to the
Owens Valley with his mother and older sister Mardelle. They
arrived at Laws Station aboard the "Slim Princess" on Jan. 9,
1919.  What began as a short visit to assist a widowed uncle 
evolved into the relocation of the family to Bishop.

Growing up, Hank attended Bishop Grammar School and his 
freshman through junior years at Bishop High.  To become 
eligible for university admission requirements, he relocated 
to the Los Angeles area during his senior year to live with 
his older sister, Kay.  Upon graduation from Monrovia High 
School in 1933, he was accepted at UCLA and served as editor 
of the university's newspaper, ultimately graduating with a 
B.A. in english.

During World War II, Hank served in the United States Naval 
77th Construction Battalion, "Seabees", in the South Pacific,
including Guadalcanal.  Articulate and bright, he typed
creative V-mail cards to family members back home.  During 
his overseas service, his love and knowledge of antiques and 
cultural history further developed.

Upon military discharge, he went into business, specializing
in early American/European antiques, and provided furnishings
to the professional decorating trade and Hollywood set design
markets.

He and his business partner periodically travelled to London, 
Italy and other locations to procure new stock shipments.  
Having found his niche, Hank focussed his energies on the 
business on La Cienega Boulevard for many years.

Shortly after his partner's death in 1997, Hank closed the L.A. 
antique business, deciding to retire.  Due to declining health,
he relocated to Bishop to be closer to family and enjoy his
back yard.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents and four older 
siblings, Howard, Don, Kathryn (Smith) Lindblom and Mardelle 
(Smith) Parent.

He is survived by nephews, Richard Parent of Bishop, John 
Parent of Nevada City, Bob and Bill Lindblom of Las Vegas;
niece, Peggy Fellows of Sacramento; and an extended family of
great-nieces, great-nephews, neighbors and friends.

Bishop, Inyo County, California
The Inyo Register - Thursday, October 24, 2002
Page A-2

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn