Dwayne Glenn Smith
August 18, 1934 – May 27, 2024
Dwayne Glenn Smith, respected Columbus Nebraska community leader for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, Memorial Day. He was 89. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, June 5, at Federated Church with Rev. Dr. Edward Yang officiating. Visitation that morning at 10:30 until service time. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the service. Military honors and interment at Columbus Cemetery at 2:30 that afternoon. The service also will be live streamed on www.facebook.com/federatedchurch or www.federatedcolumbus.org/ (then click on the “You Tube” channel link).
He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (Van Berg), his parents, Glenn and Luella (Soulliere) Smith, one son, Philip, son-in-law, Edwin Perkins, and sister JoAnne (Smith) Jonas. He is survived by his daughter, Rachel Perkins, son, Jason, son-in-law, Michael Kearns, and his beloved granddaughter, Leah Perkins, all of Denver, Colorado, brother David (Pat) Smith of Columbus, sister Karen (Smith) Luhr of Lincoln and many nieces and nephews.
Smith was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Columbus. His paternal grandparents Will and Nellie Smith owned Smith Dairy, where his father also worked, and from a very early age Smith helped out, including driving a horse-drawn delivery wagon through town each morning. His parents instilled in him a love of family and a dedication to his community.
Smith graduated from Kramer (now Columbus) High School in 1952 and immediately enlisted in the Navy. He was trained as a medic, based in San Diego, before he shipped out to Korea where he was attached to the 7th Marine Division from 1954 to 1955. He married his high school sweetheart Virginia on Valentine’s Day, 1953 and they had their first child in 1954. They were married 66 years.
After an honorable discharge, Dwayne enrolled in the University of Nebraska and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1960. He and his young family then returned to Columbus. Those eight Navy and college years were the only time Smith didn’t live in his hometown.
He started work in the Accounting Department at the Loup Power District and was soon tapped by General Manager John Preston to focus on community development, helping bring large employers and industry to Columbus to keep the city’s economy and way-of-life strong and healthy. Starting in 1970, he was dedicated to attracting dozens of companies that employed thousands of people, thus ensuring Columbus would thrive and grow at a time when other rural midwestern towns were struggling to survive. He was very proud of Nebraska in general and Columbus specifically, and worked tirelessly to ensure both were celebrated and respected. He retired as Assistant General Manager and Development Director in 2000, dedicating his entire 40-year career to public service and community development.
Smith served two terms on the Columbus City Council from 1966 to 1970. He was president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way Fund Board of Directors.
He was crowned King Ferdinand by the Chamber of Commerce in 1992 and received its Archway Award in 1990. He also was the recipient of the Columbus Jaycees Distinguished Service Award and the Columbus Community Service Award. He served as the chairman and director of the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and received its outstanding service award. As a 1990 Telegram editorial stated, “Smith’s contributions to the city go on and on. Recall any major or minor industry or business locating here and you can be sure Smith was on the cutting edge of its recruitment.”
He also served on the boards of directors of the First National Bank and the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation. He was a member of OFC, BPOE Elks Lodge, Rotary Club, VFW, and the American Legion, and volunteered his time at the Platte County Food Pantry.
Both Dwayne and Virginia came from large Columbus families, so siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins were always around for holiday dinners and summer picnics on the Loup River and in Pawnee Park across the street from their longtime home on West 8th Street. Over his almost-90 years in Columbus, he also cultivated and cherished a wide circle of dear friends with whom he traveled and stayed in close touch. He was a familiar presence driving around town in his big white ‘65 Chevy Impala convertible.
He loved to both play and watch sports, including golf and cycling. He completed the 350-mile Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska. He and Virginia were avid Husker Women’s Volleyball fans and had courtside season tickets for 20 years. In retirement they spent winters in their beloved San Diego, California where they’d first lived as a young couple with a baby 50 years earlier. He remained very active in the community up to his last days, living independently and exercising at the YMCA almost every day. He was a warm and welcoming ambassador for the community with a big smile and an upbeat attitude.
Memorials may be directed to the Platte County Food Pantry, the Platte County Historical Society, or the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation.
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