Date of Birth:
Wednesday, January 16, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, November 20, 2017
Age:
88 years old

Sandy Robert Smith

Sandy Robert Smith, 88, died November 20, 2017 at Cerenity Senior Care in White Bear Lake, MN. He was born January 16, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Mildred Matthews Smith and Sandy S. Smith. He married Marlene Joyce Koehler in Shorewood, Wisconsin, on December 4, 1954.

Sandy and Marlene have three children, Gary Smith of Vadnis Heights, MN, Randy Smith of White Bear Lake, MN, Diane (Dennis) Svoma of Rochester, MN; granddaughters, Samantha Jo Crawford of Eyota, MN, Lyndsey (Josh) Kasper of PriorLake, MN; and great-granddaughters, Kiley Jo Poellinger and Kali Jo Kerran,

Following in his bandmaster father’s footsteps, Sandy took up the trumpet at an early age. In his teens, he was a sought-after performer, playing at bandstands in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in his late teens, Sandy was offered a chance to tour nationally with master accordionist Dick Contino. Soon after, he was drafted during the Korean War where he was recruited into the military band as lead trumpeter.

After his military service, Sandy returned to the Milwaukee area, where the handsome trumpeter caught the eye of Miss Hudson, his future wife, Marlene. His first work as a radio announcer was in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Sandy was a natural announcer, discovering his second-best destiny. For over 20 years, he was a warm and engaging on-air personality known as “Sandy Smyth – your flat-footed friend.” His “Beef or Bouquet” talk show at KAGE Radio in Winona, MN, became a popular mainstay in the 1960s. In 1968, Sandy and his family moved to Rochester, MN, where he worked at KOLM radio. He eventually branched out into radio-sales and worked at the Rochester Shopper Paper. Sandy also enjoyed being a part-time DJ at Skate Country in the 1970s.

In the late 1980s, he joined Smith Music Network, his son Gary’s regional syndicated cable radio network, as sales manager and commercial announcer.

A lifelong member of Milwaukee Musicians Union, Sandy was a proud Rochester Shriner and member of the Rochester Eagles and VFW.

Gary says: Dad, I am so proud of the outstanding musician and radio announcer that you were. When I became a professional drummer and took off on the road at 20 years old you supported me 100%. My great love for radio announcing was inspired by you. That’s why when I became a Broadcast Chief Engineer I had to do full-time announcing as well!

Randy says: I learned the “K.I.S.S.” method in life from dad… which is to “Keep it Simple Stupid”.

Sandy is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Sandy was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

A graveside service for Sandy with be at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester at 11:00a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2017 with a gathering at the Eyota American Legion to follow.