Murray Smith ’54

Published in the Sept. 11, 2019, Issue

Murray drafted his own obituary at the outset of his colorful essay in Lives of ’54, our 50th-reunion yearbook:

Murray Smith died May 12, 2019, at the age of 87.

After Princeton he attended Harvard Law School and served two years as a special agent in the Army Counterintelligence Corps.

During his 40-plus year business career in San Francisco, he was an attorney, management consultant, investment banker, and president of several companies.

He was a past president of the University Club of San Francisco and a member of the Olympic Club, the Guardsmen, the Jesters Club, and the Mechanics Institute.

Was twice the California state singles squash champion, a Pacific Coast veterans squash champion in singles and doubles, U.S. and Canadian veterans doubles finalist, and had three holes in ones. Earned Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, and was an FAA licensed pilot.

Murray loved: his children, his friends, this country, smart conversation, good books, American jazz, classical and country music, opera, impressionist painting, the Golden Gate Bridge, PacBell Park, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, real martinis, petrale, tortellini, chicken livers, good maduros, doubles squash, Pebble Beach and The Lakeside, bridge, backgammon, California wine, California, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, cold beer, hot weather, hot cars, and the world of finance.

Murray leaves his former wife and longest-time friend Jean, of Sebastopol; daughter Helen and grandson Jeffrey, of Santa Rosa; and son Sam, of Redding. There will be no visiting or service. Contributions may be made to guardsmen.org.