Kurt Leroy Smith

Kurt was born on Nov. 22, 1945 in St. Paul, MN and passed away on May 14, 2023, at the age of 77 after a heart attack at his home in Bloomington. Kurt graduated from St. Paul Central High School and later earned his Associate of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He worked several jobs in his early years including; delivering newspapers, working at Ray's DX service station, and selling and installing 8-track players in cars at Muntz Stereo (an electronics store in St. Paul). He then worked as an automotive department manager at the Gem store in Bloomington. But the majority of Kurt's career was in the Minnesota Air National Guard where he enlisted in August of 1967. He served in many roles as a Guardsman and federal technician, including as a C-97 & C-130E aircraft mechanic, working on the flight line, serving as a flight engineer on the C-130E with the 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, and finally as the Superintendent of the 133rd Aircraft Generation Squadron. During his career he served in Operation Enhance Plus in Vietnam and Operation Desert Shield in Germany, as well as many exercises including; Ace Card 6 in Alaska, Volant Oak in Panama, and Team Spirit in Korea. He also took several other trips around the world with the Guard. His many decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, an Air Force Achievement Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal and a Southwest Asia Service Medal. Kurt retired in December of 2000 as a CMSgt (Chief Master Sergeant). Kurt and Sandy (Sauvageau) had their first date on his birthday in 1969, and they were married on May 23, 1970. They built their life and family in Bloomington Minnesota. In retirement, they spent many years wintering in Bonita Springs, FL, where they made many friends. Kurt loved his wife, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids and they loved him dearly too. When Kurt and Sandy weren't in Florida, they made sure to attend all of their grandkids' major scout, church, and sporting events, including attending Sophia and Emily's Cub Scout awards ceremony just two days before Kurt's death. Kurt had been a scout too and was an active adult leader in Jeff's Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop in the 1980s. Kurt really enjoyed having conversations with his son Jeff, especially in the boat fishing or around the campfire. He regularly volunteered at Community of the Cross Lutheran Church, helping maintain the building & grounds. Kurt's church and Air Guard retiree coffee groups were a high priority for him too. Kurt enjoyed traveling with Sandy's LifeTouch retiree group, camping around the country in their motorhome, playing cards and yard games with family, getting together with friends, and chatting with family, neighbors, friends, and people at church. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by us all. Kurt was preceded in death by his father Kenneth Sr., his mother Gladys, as well as his brother Kenneth Jr. and sister Doris. Kurt is survived by Sandy, his loving wife of nearly 53 years; his son, Jeff (Kate), and his grandchildren Zachary, Lukas, Sophia & Emily; mother-in-law, Angela Sauvageau; and many other in-laws, nieces and nephews, and friends. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to Community of the Cross Lutheran Church and the American Heart Association.

Tributes

Kurt Leroy Smith

November 22, 1945 - May 14, 2023

Tributes

Kurt Leroy Smith

November 22, 1945 - May 14, 2023

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