Douglas F. Smith Memorial Fund

The Douglas F. Smith Memorial Fund has been offered since 1994 to a student, artist, or athlete within the United States. As a general guideline, recipients are notable for an understanding of excellence as demonstrated through persistence and hard work. Recipients exemplify the concept of victory as earned in the monotonous and committed moments, where often alone and unrecognized, the winner earns his right to win. CHARITYSMITH is proud to present annual grants from this fund dedicated to such individuals.

Nominations for this award should be mailed to CHARITYSMITH along with a brief essay supporting the proposed recipient. Letters of recommendation from the nominees, professors, coaches or mentors are also appreciated.

About Douglas F. Smith

Douglas Franklin Smith was born in Ohio on the 25th of August 1932. He was the only son of Percivall and Ann Smith and attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

In 1954, Doug graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire with a degree in History. While at Dartmouth, Doug participated in the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, competed for the Dartmouth Swimming Team and served as a cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp.

Following graduation from Dartmouth, Doug attended Northwestern University where he earned his Jurist Doctorate in 1957. He then went to work as an investment banker in the Eastern Division of E.F. Hutton. On July 2, 1964, Doug married Frederica Seiber Gardner at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Cook County, Illinois. The couple had four children together: Elizabeth (Ginger), Katherine (Katie), Douglas (Duke), and Brooks.

Doug and Frederica eventually bought a condo in Aspen, Colorado where they could spend time in the mountains they loved. On January 22, 1970 at 8:06 a.m., Doug was killed in a commercial plane crash on McLain Flats, just three miles west of Aspen, Colorado. All eight passengers aboard the commercial flight were killed on impact. Then 37 years old, Doug died a husband, father, scholar, and successful member of the business community. He had a passion for skiing, wore his hair short, and appreciated the companionship of good friends. Doug was driven to be a success and his life, brief though it was, demonstrated that commitment.

In some small way, by building this fund in his name, Douglas F. Smith, though gone from this life, is not gone from ours.

Fund Administrators

• Brooks H. Rohlen, MD
• Douglas S. Rohlen, MBA

Scholarship

Apply for this year’s scholarship by filling out the online application.

Recipients

Current Recipient

• 2016 – Academic Fund for the children of Erik Roner

Past Recipients

• 2015 – Jason “Abro” Abraham – Professional photographer
• 2014 – Chris Rohlen Memorial Playfield at Discovery Preschool, Truckee, CA
• 2013 – Academic Fund for the Children of David Kang
• 2012 – Academic Fund for the Children of Damion Horstman
• 2011 – The Community School Fund – Costa Rica
• 2010 – Academic Fund for the Children of Brant Walton
• 2009 – Shelly Robertson, US Freestyle Ski Team and High Fives Foundation
• 2008 – Roy Tuscany, Professional Skier
• 2007 – Rosine Area Veterans Memorial, Rosine, Kentucky
• 2006 – Charlie Anderson, Freeride Skier
• 2005 – Shelly Robertson, US Freestyle Ski Team
• 2004 – Shelly Robertson, US Freestyle Ski Team
• 2003 – Shelly Robertson, US Freestyle Ski Team
• 2002 – International Health Corps to Ghana, University of Utah School of Medicine
• 2001 – Michelle Mellor, Miss Utah Pageant
• 2000 – Scott Johnson, Stevens Heneger College, Computer Science Program
• 1999 – Brad Brazzeal, Dixie College, Paramedic Program
• 1998 – Jesse Thurgood, Singer/Songwriter
• 1997 – Redwood High School, 10 Year Class Reunion
• 1996 – Steve Edgley, Medical Mission – Choice Program
• 1996 – Mathew Vernon, Medical Mission – Choice Program
• 1995 – Aaron “Zippy” Rasicot, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team
• 1994 – Aaron “Zippy” Rasicot, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team

Donations

CHARITYSMITH accepts donations in a variety of ways which include online, by mail, and phone.

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of CHARITYSMITH Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.

For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CHARITYSMITH.