Albert William Smith died peacefully at home on Feb. 19. He was born July 30, 1921, in Berlin, Mass., to Walter and Nellie Smith.

Raised in Hudson, Mass., Smith graduated from Hudson High School before entering Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

After graduating in 1943 with a B.A. in geography, Smith entered the Marine Corps and served as an officer in the South Pacific during World War II.

Following the war, Smith earned a M.A. in geography at the University of Colorado and a PhD. at the University of Washington.

While at the University of Washington he met Barbara Carleton, whom he married in 1948. After honeymooning on Vashon Island, the couple spent two years in New Zealand while Smith researched his doctoral thesis and worked as an instructor at the University of Auckland.

During their stay in New Zealand, the Smiths’ daughter, Susan, was born. Once back in the United States, Smith returned to the University of Colorado where he was a professor of geography for 31 years, retiring as professor emeritus in 1983.

Upon retirement Smith and his wife moved to Vashon where Smith enjoyed working in his gardens. Smith is survived by Barbara, his wife of 59 years, and his son Philip.