Kent Smith

Kent Howard Smith, 87, formerly of Hazelhurst and Minocqua, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at his home in Los Angeles.

An Air Force veteran and retired aerospace engineer, Kent was born in Waukegan, Ill., and grew up in both Hazelhurst and Naples, Fla. A UW-Madison alumnus, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering and soon after began working on America’s early space program. Prior to college, Kent attended Minocqua High School, where he had a busy senior year as co-captain of the football team, president of the M-Club, homecoming king, and a member of the student council. His father, Howard “Hobby” Smith, played an active role in the Northwoods community as co-owner of Smith Bros. Resort and later Smith Bros. Marine. His mother, Evelyn, was equally active in the community, along with his younger sister, Jane Mason.

Kent was married twice, first to Tedra “Teddi” Smith (née Hiller), whom he met in high school, and later to Carol Smith (née Patterson), whom he met after moving to Florida in 1973. He has one child, Scott (from his marriage to Teddi), whom Kent raised as a single parent and to whom he passed along a deep appreciation for travel, music, and movies. While he was always serious when appropriate, Kent had a self-deprecating sense-of-humor that immediately put people at ease. He loved laughing and having fun, enjoying everything from a simple sunset to a good roller coaster to the Packers. Later in life, he traveled the globe and embraced a love of cooking, which included a New England clam chowder that quickly won-over his daughter-in-law, Lisa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hobby and Evelyn, his second wife Carol, and his dear aunt and uncle, Alyce and Rusty Smith. He is survived by his son Scott, his sister Jane, cousin Nancy Stehno, niece Amber Haling, and many more family and friends. Among Kent’s estate papers was found a hand-written note that reads, “I don’t want a funeral. But a party is ok.”

Celebration of Life Services for Kent Smith and his sister Jane Smith Mason will be on Saturday, July 5th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the American Legion Hall in Minocqua, WI.

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com.

Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.