SMITH, Lindsay George (1932-2022)
Courtesy R Rutledge Smith
Lindsay George Smith passed away peacefully at home on the 9th of October 2022 in Toledo, OH. Age 90. Dearly beloved husband of Roxanne, his wife of 27 years, whom he met in Denmark. Lindsay had lived some years in his adopted country, and while never losing his love for his native Australia, his appreciation of America and its way-of-life grew as the years passed. In his later years, he counted more friends in America than in Australia.
Lindsay was enrolled at the College from 1946 to 1951, finishing in Form VI. While a member of the cadets he reached the rank of Cdt Lt. However, it was his involvement in the Music Committee and Glee Club which sparked a lifelong interest in the Arts. His brother Doug (OGC 1949) and two sons Nick (OGC 1988) and Simon (OGC 1990) also attended the College.
An inveterate traveller he always made at least one trip a year to Australia for "language training" as he would tell his friends.
He was proud to serve and represent his country as a career diplomat in the Foreign Service. Lindsay felt serving one's country was the highest of honours. He served in England, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, New Zealand and the United Nations (New York City) before his final posting covering all of Polynesia and based in the Fiji Islands. During his career he was seconded as media liaison officer for visits of Heads of State to Australia, including Pope John Paul II, the President of Turkey, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher, and President George H. W. Bush as well as the Prince of Wales, (King Charles III). The City of Toledo benefited from his professional skills when he became the Mayor's appointee to Toledo Sister Cities, International.
Lindsay took pride in everything he undertook, whether singing in Saint Michael's in the Hill's Choir, playing tennis, gardening, riding his bike, or directing a play. However, music was his great love, particularly Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas. He joined musical groups wherever posted and found friendship and community through a common love of music. Always a people person, Lindsay had the enviable ability to relate to folk from all walks of life and this was reflected in his wide circle of friends. With a talent for humour, he could instantly light up a room and put people at ease. As a great supporter of the arts, Lindsay was both a founder and board member of Ballet Theatre of Toledo. He was an active member of St. Michael's choir and a church member for some 35 years. St Michael's Episcopal Church was his spiritual home.
He loved the English language, particularly the phrasing and wording in the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer and would, as he often said, caress every word and phrase particularly as a lector at St. Michael's. Lindsay did indeed try and live the motto of his old college, some 70 years and 8000 miles ago, this is the way to the stars.
Sources: R Rutledge Smith, Geelong Advertiser 15 October 2022, Pegasus, OGC 1946.