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Daniel Smith

November 10, 2018
Kalamazoo, MI

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Daniel Richard Smith, age 84, died at Bickford Cottage on November 10, 2018, following complications of Lewy body dementia. He was born March 19, 1934, in Kalamazoo, to Ruth (Lill) and Claud Smith. Dan was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He began his career in banking at the First National Bank of Kalamazoo in 1955, which became First of America in 1983. In 1972, he was made head of the Trust Department of First National, and in 1978, he was named President of the bank. In 1985, he was named Chairman and CEO of First of America Holding Company and retired in 1996. He was the founding member of the First National Bank of Michigan and served on its board and, upon retiring, was named Board Member Emeritus. Additionally, he served on the board of Bronson Hospital for 30 years and was also named Board Member Emeritus upon retirement. He served as President of the Michigan Bankers Association in 1985 and was elected President of the American Bankers Association in 1993. Dan also served on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Fannie Mae. Community service was always a priority in Dan's life. Not only was he instrumental in the Arcadia Creek Development, he served on many additional boards, including Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Nazareth College and the United Way. Early in his career, he was President of Jaycees. Dan was married to Julia "Judy" Marquardt on June 18, 1955. He was a devoted husband and father. Preceding him in death was his son, Jeffery Daniel Smith. His surviving family includes his children: Cynthia (Jeff) Harris and Melinda Smith; his grandchildren: Richard (Rafia) Harris and Rachel Harris; his great-grandson, Daniel Harris; his daughter-in-law Carolee Justus; his sister Camille Lawrence; his brothers-in-law: Steve (Cherrie) Marquardt and Gene (Jean) Miller; his sister-in-law Mary Marquardt; and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sister Sherry Miller; and his brothers-in-law Jack Lawrence and Michael Marquardt. Dan was a lifetime of the Episcopal Church. He sang in the St. Luke's Boy's Choir in the 1940s, and belonged to St. Luke's Episcopal Church. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at St. Luke' Episcopal Church, 247 West Lovell Street, Kalamazoo, with Reverend Dr. Randall Warren officiating. Following the service, there will be a reception at the Park Club in Kalamazoo. Donations in memory of Dan may be made to the Ministry with Community or St. Luke's Memorial Fund. The family would like to thank the staff at Bickford for their loving care. Please visit Dan's webpage for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com.