Lewis "Neb" Oscar Smith III

 Lewis Oscar “Neb” Smith passed away peacefully in his home  Sunday  March 9, 2025.  He was born , December 16,1936 in Homestead, PA to Lewis and Rachael Smith.  During his early years, Lew moved multiple times following his father’s military career during WWII. These early years saw Lew in Corpus Christi, TX; San Diego, CA; Seaside, OR; and Seattle, WA while his father was on various naval ships in the Pacific.  After the war, he returned to Homestead Park and later moved to Ritman, OH.  Lew graduated from Ritman High School in 1954.   Lew’s academic journey continued at Ohio University leading him to a decision to go into the Air Force after his Freshman year.  Lew’s first assignment in the Air Force was at 10th Air Command at Willow Run in Ypsilanti, MI in the Air Force Special Services.  While at Willow Run, he continued his education attending Eastern Michigan University and working a few hours a week at Howard Johnson’s.  While working at Howard Johnson’s, he met Peggy Ann Hull.  After transferring to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK, Lew and Peggy were married on October 1, 1957.  After serving 2 years in the Air Force, Lew and Peggy moved back to Ann Arbor where Lew would attend the University of Michigan getting his Bachelor and Master’s in Communications - Broadcast Journalism.  
While at the University of Michigan, Lew was employed part-time as a Lab Technician working in plastics and resins.  This part-time job would become the springboard for his career in R&D and product development.  Lew’s penchant for helping people solve problems took him to the labs at Barley Earhart Inc., in Portland, MI and Hull-Smith Enterprises, in Des Planes, IL before moving to Dolphin Paint & Chemical in Toledo, OH in 1972.  While at Dolphin, Lew moved from product development into operations and eventually to President and CEO.  After 34 years, Lew retired from Dolphin and sold the business in 2006.
Lew enjoyed most spending time with family and friends.  Summer cookouts and holidays were his favorites.  He was an avid bird enthusiast and enjoyed watching the birds at his many feeders.  He enjoyed the antics of local squirrels and watched them munch-down the peanuts he put out for them daily. He loved photographing sea birds and enjoyed trips to various costal beaches to enjoy the Gulls, Terns, Albatross, and Pelicans. Lew began his love for music in High School.  He loved jazz and played drums in bands while in the Air Force.  In later years, he continued his love of jazz especially when accompanied by some good wine.
Lew is survived by his son, Damian B. (Lori) Smith; and daughter, Heather Smith (Chris) Lutkin; brother, Mark Kuhn (Diane) Smith; granddaughter, Allison Parker Smith; nieces, Kara Sample (Jon) Houser and Erin C. (Tony) Lascola; nephew, Robert (Leah) Sample, and grand nephew Conor Houser.
An Open House Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

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