Joseph Herman Smith

Joseph Herman Smith, born in Boston in 1947 to parents Melvin and Faye Smith, died on February 16, 2026 at home, on the eve of Year of the Fire Horse. Joe lived a vibrant, quixotic, and playful life, criss-crossing the globe, learning multiple languages, and making friends wherever he went. He spent the last 41 years on the Coast, where he was a fixture on the poetry scene, a volunteer at the State of the Ark, and a frequent flier at the Botanical Gardens.

In childhood, Melvin and Faye's military service took Joe to Berlin, Germany, Japan, and numerous other locales. That wandering spirit never left him, whether he was herding goats in Greece or visiting friends in Bali. While many in the community may remember him as an English professor, he also tended bar at the Old Coast Hotel, worked as a choker setter in Oregon, and had a myriad of other jobs, always in pursuit of the next great adventure. He held a Bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and a Masters in English from the University of Oregon.

Joe loved reading, extremely syncopated jazz, and deep philosophical conversations with his children, friends, and correspondents. He was also a prolific poet and short story writer with a colorful style that matched his sometimes puckish personality. Joe was a deeply empathetic and caring man and in his honor, the family recommends performing a small act of kindness whether for a friend or stranger to carry his memory forward.

Joe is survived by his children, Eliza Brooks Lindsay, Cary Littlefield, and Simon Smith, along with his sisters Pamela and Cookie and their extended family. The family will be hosting a poetry reading and celebration of life in the coming months. ' Joe; we'll see you on the other side.