Garden City Funeral Home
AC "Charles" Smid, a passionate outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and conservationist passed away on October 1, 2023, while fly fishing the Kluatantan River in British Columbia, Canada. The cause of death was heart failure. He was 73 years old.
Charles was born the second of five children to Arthur C. and Mary Ellen Smid in Naperville, IL, on January 25, 1950. A distinguished alumnus of the University of Montana, he became a restaurant entrepreneur in his early professional life. He was a member of YPO, a professional organization for successful young corporate presidents and CEOs.
A lifelong hunter and conservationist, Charles was a regular member of the Boone and Crockett Club, a wildlife conservation organization founded by Teddy Roosevelt. In 1999 Charles founded Bear Trust International, which works to conserve all eight species of the world's bears. He was a record-holding big game hunter who was passionate about the ethics of fair chase.
Charles was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor. He will be dearly missed for his outgoing personality, and the joy and commitment he brought to his life's pursuits.
Charles is survived by his wife, Melissa Orr Smid, his three children, Molly Mae Culligan (Matt Dey), Arthur Smid, and Gretchen Smid (Chris Broekhoff), his sister Patricia Malloy, his brothers Jonathan Smid and David Smid, and four grandchildren, Bo Ryan Crum, Charles Dey, Hawkeye Dey, and Oliver Broekhoff. Charles is predeceased by his parents, Arthur C. and Mary Ellen, his sister Mary Beth, and his granddaughter Elly Mae Crum.
Those wishing to honor Charles Smid's memory may donate to Bear Trust International: https://www.beartrust.org/support
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Bozeman Daily Chronicle
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com
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