How can you possibly describe in a few words a fine, moral, ethical, hard-working human being? Fred was all of that and more. He had the innate quality of always looking on the positive side of everything, of having a "can-do" attitude, and of genuinely always looking for the best in others. He always gave it his best when he was involved.
Fred was born on September 16, 1937, in Salt Lake City, to Donna Myrl Hottinger and Clarence Louis Smolka. He died on March 1, 2019, of complications related to a long-time liver disease. On November 20, 1962, he married Marilyn Miller, from Bronxville, New York, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Manti Temple. Fred and Marilyn raised two children, Tanya and Nicholas. He was adored by his grandchildren, Brodie Nicholas Smolka, whom he helped to raise, and Evan, Connor, Hailey, and Duncan Bergstrom. All of his grandchildren delighted in having him sing "Oh, the Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night."
He spent his early years in Emigration Canyon at a time before there were many year-round residents. After his marriage, he and Marilyn moved back to the canyon, where he spent the rest of his life. He was the first in 40 family members who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Fred graduated from East High School in 1955 and from the University of Utah in 1962 with a BS in Accounting. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and served as an officer. During 1958 through 1959, he served an honorable mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern California and Arizona. After graduation he began a life-long career as a CPA, working at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and then for American Savings and Loan (1967-1979) where he acted as CFO and later as Executive Vice President and manager of the Utah Division. He and several colleagues took interest in a small loan company and upgraded the company to the federally insured Home Savings and Loan, which later became Home Savings Bank. Fred served as president and CEO of Home Savings Bank until 1990. Upon leaving Home Savings, Fred returned to his CPA profession and created Management Enterprises, a consulting business for small businesses and tax services.
Fred's major priorities in life included his family, his faith, and service to his community. In Emigration Canyon, he worked tirelessly to provide safe water, a fire-flow system, and to improve the environment through proper zoning laws. His interest in zoning and water were inspired during his eight-year term as president of the Citizens of Emigration Canyon, an early community organization. He spent countless hours working with Salt Lake County on zoning issues, beginning in 1968 and continuing until 2015. He served as an elected commissioner of the Emigration Township Planning Commission. He served many terms as a trustee of the Emigration Improvement District, becoming chairman and finally manager, during a time when Fred's life-long dream was fulfilled of providing potable water to most of the canyon. He knew as much or more about the canyon and its residents than anyone. He loved to run and hike in the canyon and knew firsthand all of the trails.
Fred was a faithful and dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings, including financial ward clerk, executive secretary to several bishoprics, elder's quorum presidency, bishop's counselor, three different High Councils, and bishop of the University 6th Ward. He was the first bishop of the Monument Park 20th Ward (Emigration Canyon Ward) from 1985 to 1990, where he began many rich traditions, including "Church in the Canyon" held on the Sunday before the 24th of July in his beautiful Emigration Canyon yard which was actually one of the last campsites on the pioneer trail.
The red rock country of southern Utah and northern Arizona provided some great backpacking and hiking adventures for Fred and his brothers and other family members and friends. They explored many Indian ruins, arches and other natural beauties that few ever have the opportunity to see.
Fred and Marilyn were avid fans of University of Utah basketball and football and had many great trips with friends traveling to away games. In fact, when they were first married, they had a basketball season before they had furniture!
We wish we could mention all of Fred's friends by name, but it would be impossible because there are so very many. We appreciate each and every one for unfailing kindness, support, caring and friendship over so many years. He didn't have many regrets, but his great disappointment will be that he didn't get to bless his newest great-granddaughter and namesake, Lily Aloise Smolka.
Fred is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughter Tanya Bergstrom (William) of Loveland, Colorado, son Nicholas, of Ketchikan, Alaska, grandchildren Brodie Smolka (Caitlyn), and Evan, Connor, Hailey, and Duncan Bergstrom, great-grandchildren Kaiden, Iris, and Lily Smolka; siblings Donna Bessie (Don) McClellan, of Brigham City, Utah; Susan (George) Gibson of Riverton, Wyoming; Clarence (Geri) and Joseph (Laura), both of Emigration Canyon; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, March 9, 2019, the Crestview Chapel, 2795 E Crestview Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Fred's family would be honored to have you greet them at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2340 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, on Friday evening, March 8, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm or at the chapel prior to the funeral from 10:00 to 11:30 in the morning.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity. We're especially fond of any of the departments at the University of Utah School of Medicine, including Orthopaedics, Liver Clinic, and Internal Medicine. We are grateful for the kind attention given by Inspiration Hospice caregivers over the last months of Fred's life.
