Suttons Bay - Dudley Bird Smith III, 76, of Suttons Bay, passed away unexpectedly on August 6 while fishing in Canada with his son and grandsons.

Dudley was born October 26, 1941 to the late Dudley Bird and Elizabeth (Fleck) Smith II.


On August 15, 1964, Dudley married Barbara Ann Schurman in Troy. Dudley and Barbara moved to Traverse City in 1973 where he began his career with Olmsted Products Co. as a metallurgist in quality control. He became President and in 1988 bought Olmsted Products from its parent company, Vickers.

He was a proud supporter of many local charities and community organizations, donating both his time and resources. He loved dogs and was an ardent supporter of the Cherryland Humane Society. Dudley, with his wife Barbara, supported Munson Medical Center through various gifts to the hospital and most recently helped fund the Smith Family Breast Health Center. His love of Inuit art led to their support of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), particularly the Dennos Museum Center. Dudley and Barbara became Fellows of NMC in 1997.

Dudley, who enjoyed golf with family and friends, was a member of the Traverse City Golf & Country Club for 45 years and attended multiple Ryder Cup competitions with Barbara and their friends. He loved sharing this passion for golf with his grandsons. In recent years, he developed an interest in equestrian sports through his granddaughter Paige, and enjoyed attending her competitions around the country.

He loved living on the bay and spending days fishing and boating with his family.

Dudley is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara; daughter Laura (Doug) Matthies and son Dudley (Kimberly) Smith IV; grandchildren Paige Matthies and Miles, Owen and John Smith; siblings Craig (Barbara) Smith, Gail Showers, Bruce (Rachel) Smith and Andra (Mike) Powers; and many nieces and nephews.

Dudley was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dolores and grandson Dudley Bird Smith V.

The celebration of Dudley's life will be held at 3:30 pm at the Dennos Museum Center on August 15, 2018. A gathering for family and friends will immediately follow at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club.

Memorial contributions in memory of Dudley may be directed to the NMC Foundation, Munson Medical Center or to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Please share your condolences and memories with the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being cared for by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.