Randy B. “Rand” Smith, MALS ’78

Randy B. “Rand” Smith, MALS ’78 of Old Lyme, Conn., and Owl’s Head, Maine, died of natural causes on Aug. 9, 2018, at the home of his longtime friend in New York City. Rand was 68-years-old and the devoted son of Elizabeth D. “Betty” Smith and Brainerd F. “Bud” Smith, now deceased, of Deep River, Conn.

Rand grew up in Deep River, graduated from Valley Regional and attended The First Congregational Church with his parents. He graduated from Lafayette College, Class of ’72, in Easton, Pa., and later obtained his master’s degree at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. A middle school teacher of science and mathematics, in his early professional years, Rand later worked at Xerox and as a science editor of Scholastic Magazine. He served as a regional sales manager of inflatable boats and retired from this position when the company was sold.

Rand was a lifelong student and enthusiast of the arts, antiques, gardening, period homes, and Holland. Rand had a passionate loyalty to Volvos and spent many a day “bumbleshooting” along the shoreline of Connecticut and Maine. He was an intrepid traveler abroad and enjoyed both the planning and execution of trips to far away places with more frequent trips to his favorite country, Holland.

In June of 2017, Rand was a part of the first 18-person kidney exchange at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT. With a new kidney, donated by his best friend, and renewed energy, Rand’s zest for life often took him to his childhood vacation cottage in Owls Head, Maine, or on cultural forays into New York City.

Please remember Rand for all that he was and what he became through his 68 years; a man of great energy, creativity, knowledge, and passion. He always marched to his own drummer and approached life, every day, with incredible enthusiasm and curiosity.

Rand is survived by his sister, Lynette Smith of Brewer, Maine, his nephews, Justin and John Gorecki, and his cousins, Joanne Hall of Bedford Hills, N.Y., Susan Briskie of Florida, and Tom Grant of California.

We thank Laura Lee Miller for this heartfelt obituary.