Sid was born on June 6, 1939, in Fort Worth, Texas. He passed away on August 20, 2026, in Chelsea, Michigan, after a long illness. He was the first child born to Frank and Mary Smith. A few years later, the Smith family moved to California. Sid grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1957. He began his college career at General Motors Institute. After a year, he decided to enlist in the U. S. Army in 1962. His three-year enlistment included a tour on duty in Sinop, Turkey. After his discharge, he returned to college and graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he found work at General Electric Nuclear in San Jose, California. He enjoyed his thirteen years at GE Nuclear, but decided to move to S. Levy, Inc., a nuclear consulting firm in Cupertino, California.
Sid and Marilyn met in 1980 at Skyliners Cycling Club. Sid rode in the hard ride and Marilyn rode in the easy ride, but they chatted over pizza afterwards. Sid introduced Marilyn to skiing, which was a challenge. Sid had been skiing for many years with the Sundance Ski Club, which took him to many ski areas. He had gone helicopter skiing in Canada multiple times. Marilyn had tried skiing once. But somehow the two of them stuck it out and they enjoyed season passes at Tahoe Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley USA). They were married on May 4, 1985, in Saratoga, California, where they lived until Sid’s retirement.
Sid enjoyed his retirement. In 1996, Sid and Marilyn moved to Bend, Oregon. The first thing Sid did in Oregon was to join the Bend Golf and Country Club. He spent many years golfing several times a week with the men’s groups and on the weekends with Marilyn. They also continued skiing and had season passes at both Tahoe Palisades and Mt. Bachelor. Sid fulfilled one of his dreams. He purchased a 1925 T-Bucket classic car. Sid could be seen driving to the golf course in his “Bucket,” showing his car in car shows and cruising with the Central Oregon Hot Rod Association. Being in Oregon, meant they were close to Sid’s family and had many great times with his two sisters and their families.
In 2018, Sid and Marilyn moved to Chelsea, Michigan, to be close to Marilyn’s family. Skiing became a thing of the past, but they joined Inverness Golf Club. Unfortunately, Sid’s health declined and they also had to give up golf. But he did enjoy dining out with Marilyn and her family. He also enjoyed the holiday dinners with Marilyn’s sister and brother-in-law (Gaelene and Dale Horning) and their friends (Paul and Barb Marshall).
Sid leaves behind his wife, Marilyn Wurster, of 41 years. He also leaves behind his sister, Sharon Smith and her children, Wayne Shellabarger and Jill (Tony) Brown, and his sister, Martha (Charlie) Capovilla and their children Brian Capovilla and Abby Capovilla (Jess Gleasman). He also leaves behind Marilyn’s family, Gaelene and Dale Horning, and special friends, Paul and Barb Marshall. Sid will be missed by all.
Services are pending at this time.
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