Herbert Edward Smyth

1935 - 2025

Herbert Edward Smyth passed away suddenly and peacefully on June 22, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska-just as he had always hoped, quietly in his recliner. He was 89.

Herb was born on October 16, 1935, in Santa Monica, California, to Victor Llewellyn Smyth and Gladys Norma Kemp. He was the eldest of five siblings: Victor Llewellyn Smyth Jr., Frankie Marguerite Mousseau, Chester Kemp Smyth, and Normagwen Smyth.

He grew up in Mojave, California, where he helped his parents run Vic's Café and distribute the L.A. Times newspaper. He also rounded up wild horses.

In September 1954, Herb joined the United States Army and proudly served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He married Elma Christine Holt on March 28, 1959, in Bakersfield, California. Herb worked as a lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) before moving his family to Juneau, Alaska in May 1972 to work for Alaska Electric Light and Power (AEL&P).
Together, Herb and Chris raised their five children: Roy Davis Manning (Cynthia), Herbert Edward Smyth Jr. (Kathrine), Llewellyn Christopher Smyth (Missouri), Julianna Carol Singh (Edward), and Merigwen Irene Kawakami (Tomoya). Herb was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Herb served faithfully as both a branch president and bishop in Juneau. He also ran a small family business, Smyth Family Tree Service, for over a decade.
Herb embraced a spirit of adventure, learning, and service. He became a certified NAUI diver, lifeguard, swim instructor, welder, IPSC marksman, and United States Coast Guard auxiliarist. In the late 1990s, he and his wife Chris purchased an unfinished cabin in Gustavus, Alaska. Together, they transformed it into their new home. In Gustavus, he served as a volunteer firefighter, proudly assigned to the pump truck.
Herb was laid to rest on June 23, 2025, in the Gustavus Cemetery beside his beloved wife Chris and dog Scuffy.
He will be remembered for his honesty, hard work, diligence, and constant desire to learn and improve. He freely shared his knowledge, quietly served others, and lived a life of integrity and purpose. His legacy continues in the lives he touched and the example he set.