Charles Todd Smith

Charles Todd Smith, known affectionately as Charlie or Chuck to his friends, passed away September 15, 2025, at the age of 37. Born on February 12, 1988, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Charlie's life was one of adventure, laughter, and important contributions to conservation. Charlie graduated from Southwest High School in 2006 and pursued further education at Minneapolis Community Technical College and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. His love for the water led him to earn a 50 Ton Merchant Mariners' Captain's License and a certification as a 100 Ton Master of Steam or Motor Vessels. Charlie held a Divemaster Certificate since 2017, having completed over 900 dives. In 2022, he completed Commercial Diving Training, Commercial Nitrox Diver/Blender training, and O2 Therapy certification. He also held PADI First Aid and Emergency First Responder Certification and was a certified Wilderness First Responder. His commitment to lifelong learning was unmistakable, as he continually expanded his knowledge and skills throughout his life. Professionally, Charlie was a dedicated conservationist, a professional diver, and a boat captain whose work spanned the U.S. Great Lakes and reached as far as Nepal, Thailand, Belize, and Madagascar. He worked hand-in-hand with professional colleagues, contributing significantly to the conservation of Great Lakes piping plovers and colonial waterbirds. As a skilled bander, wildlife handler, and watercraft operator, his conservation work included projects in the U.S. and spanned 4 continents. His contributions in Nepal focused on snow leopard and tiger population monitoring and human-wildlife conflict mitigation; in Thailand, he researched tigers, leopards, and their prey species. His underwater surveys in Belize and Madagascar played an important role in assessing the biodiversity and distribution of coral reefs and fisheries. Charlie's professional life was a testament to his boundless spirit of adventure and his unwavering commitment to the preservation of our natural world. Charlie's interests were as vast as the places he traveled. From a young age, he was mesmerized by the technology and the possibilities of being underwater. He proudly outscored his older brother on their scuba certification exam at just 12 years old. His love for scuba and diving was more than a pastime; it served as the cornerstone of his conservation work and his professional undertakings.An encyclopedia of cinema, Charlie had an impressive knack for recounting the characters and history behind films. He could always be counted on for a thoughtful movie recommendation and a perfectly timed quote. His sense of humor was infectious, and his ability to find laughter in the mundane made every moment with him memorable. Charlie also enjoyed video games, sharing hours of joy and camaraderie while playing with his brother Alex and friends. A lifelong learner with a curious intellect, he relished sharing his latest discoveries on a wide array of subjects, from the state of the world to politics, niche subcultures, and the latest podcasts and books. His stories, rich with adventure and wit, will be cherished and retold, ensuring his legacy endures. He is survived by his mother, Francie Cuthbert, his father, David Smith, his brother, Alex Smith (Kamryn Warren), and an extended family and friends that literally span the world. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of all who knew him, but his spirit-a blend of adventure, humor, and curiosity-will continue to inspire those he touched. Celebration of life for Charlie will be held Saturday October 11th 1:00-4:00 pm at Minnehaha Park Wabun Picnic Area Pavillion D.