Harry B. Smart

Smart, Harry B.
No matter where he went, no matter whom he was with, Harry Smart always wore a smile. Even the past few years as his Alzheimer's Disease took it's toll on his memory, he never forgot to smile.
Harry Baird Smart grew up in Evanston, Illinois and attended Evanston High School. He developed his leadership skills early when he was elected President of his 1942 high school class. He studied for a year at the University of Rochester in New York before enlisting in the Army, where he served in both Europe and the Pacific. After World War II ended, he was chosen to join the intial occupation force in Japan, then went back to the University of Rochester and graduated with a degree in economics.
In 1948, Harry went to work as an Account Executive for the advertising agency, Dancer, Fitzgerald and Sample. A year later, he took a chance and accepted an offer from John Blair to join his fledgling television representative company. In the early 1950's, television was a brand new medium and Harry became one of the first television representative salesman. With his hard work, smile and love of people, he excelled and helped build the John Blair Company into the premier television representative company in the country. Harry became Vice President and Midwest Manager in 1958 and President of the Market Division in 1974. He was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Blair Television in 1979 and served as Vice Chariman until his retirement in 1988. To celebrate his 40 years of service, the Blair Company ran a two page retirement tribute in Electronic Media and Broadcasting Magazine, where they summed up Harry's "Smart Sell" as, "Harry's 'Smart Salesmanship ' is based on the following principles: honesty and integrity, hard work and service, knowledge and communication. More importantly, it includes active caring about clients and customers. Though these principles seem ordinary, there's nothing ordinary about his incredible achievements." He continued to serve on Blair's Board of Directors after retirement and in 1999, Harry Smart was awarded the Broadcasters Foundation of America's Pioneer Award for his professional accomplishments and contribution to the industry.
Harry's love for Chicago never wavered. In 1957, he moved to Winnetka, a suburb of Chicago, where he lived for 47 years until he moved to Lake Forest Place, a care facility in 2003. He loved the people and friendliness of Chicago. Even during the years he served as Chairman of a New York based company, he lived in Chicago and commuted to New York. He loved to garden, play tennis and handball. He was an avid Chicago Bear fan.
In 1999 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Over the past few years as his memory began to fade, his smile never did. For his family, wife Mary Jane, sons John and Baird, daughter Mary Reynolds, and grandchildren, that ever-present smile will live on.
A memorial service for Harry is being planned as well as a reception on Harry's behalf, October 3, 5 - 8 p.m. at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, IL. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Harry's name to the Alzheimer's Association.