Sherman Christensen Smith (February 4, 1948-October 19, 2015) was born on a snowy winter's day while his family lived in Wyview Village in Provo, UT. He was the third child of Wilford E. Smith and Ruth Christensen Smith. He was an eager friend and motivated learner from his early years, involved in sports and student government. Sherm, his dad and three brothers (and their "extra" little brother, Gifford Nielsen) were always ready for a pick-up game of ball in the Smith family backyard. He loved his time as co-captain of the football team and as SBO president at BY High. From 1967-1970, he served an LDS mission to the Central German mission, where he began his lifelong love for the language, the food, and the people. Sherm graduated from BYU (true blue through and through) with a degree in German Literature. The highlight of his time at BYU was falling in love with his blue-eyed Bobbi Aboe. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on July 20th, 1972. Sherm immediately began medical school at the University of Utah. After graduation, Sherm, Bobbi, little Cecily and baby Tye moved to Denver, Colorado for internship and General surgery residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. They had another daughter, Carrie, and in July of 1981, they moved their family to Frankfurt, Germany where Sherm served as an activity duty surgeon at Frankfurt Army Medical Center. With a Vanagon camper, they took advantage of the time they finally had together to travel and found that Europe became a beloved second home. What an adventure for their little family, and new baby Heidi. They returned to Salt Lake City and set up practice at Memorial Medical Center. They welcomed their fifth and final child, Marshall, in 1987. In December of 1990, his army reserve unit was activated during the Gulf War where he was stationed in Frankfurt again. In 1992, he joined Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians, where he found his true passion for gastric bypass surgery. He loved helping his patients and building relationships with his coworkers. In August of 2015, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died suddenly Monday morning, October 19th, from complications due to the cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Bobbi Aboe Smith, his children: Cecily Jane (Chandler) Horsley; Tye Sherman (Stacey) Smith; Carrie Ann (Joseph) LeBaron; Heidi Ruth (Ben) Allen; Marshall Gregory Smith; 14 adoring grandchildren; and siblings: Charlotte Knudsen; Wilford E. (Pam) Smith; Ronald T. (Audriana) Smith; Jeffery R. (Karen) Smith. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Wilford and Ruth Smith, his younger brother, George, and brother-in-law, Kent Knudsen. He was a good, kind, obedient, hardworking husband, father, and friend. He will be greatly missed by many.
Viewing will be held Friday, October 23, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m. Funeral at 11:00 a.m. All services at Holladay 4th Ward building (4917 Viewmont St). Interment at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo. Services provided by Larkin Mortuary.
