Plan for the Future
~~Watson B. Smith Jr.
Longtime Summit resident, Rotarian, Councilman and a man of few words.
Watson “Bud” Smith. 83, of Summit passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 4. Bud was born in Dover, NJ on November 8, 1931. He spent his early years in New Providence and Portland ME, before settling in Summit at age 11. He graduated from Summit HS in 1949, received his engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ in 1953. As an officer in the US Navy Civil Engineering Corp he supervised the design and building of facilities at the Little Creek Naval Base in Norfolk VA. It was in Virginia that he met his wife of 58 years, Linda.
After three years of service, Linda and Bud returned to Summit in 1957. He began his career with Nordling & Dean Electric Company as an estimator, eventually becoming the sole owner of the company in 1981. He was an active leader in National Electrical Contractor’s Association and was a Fellow of the National Academy of Electrical Contractors. He retired in 2000.
Bud was a member and president of the Summit Board of Recreation; was general chairman of the Summit United Way; and served three terms on the Summit Common Council as a member and president during the 1970s. Throughout his many years of membership in the Summit New Providence Rotary Club, he served as president and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was a life member of Canoe Brook Country Club where he played tennis, paddle tennis and golf. A lifelong NY Giants fan, he instilled his love of the team, music and travel in his children.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, son Watson B Smith III of Seattle, daughters Kathy Harris of Los Gatos, CA and Elizabeth Rubenstein of Pacifica, CA. Sons-in-law Rob Harris and Bryan Rubenstein, granddaughters Norabelle and Lucy Rubenstein also shared many happy years with Bud. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Smith and sister-in-law Mary Jean Smith of Lebanon, NH and niece Lauren Llorente of Atkinson, NH
A memorial service will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit at 11am, Saturday, April 11 with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church,31 Woodland Rd., Summit, NJ 07901, the Overlook Hospital Foundation, 99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit, NJ 07901 or the Scholarship Fund of the Summit, New Providence Rotary Club, c/o Joseph Steiner, 34 Ridgedale Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. Arrangements handled by Bradley, Brough, and Dangler Funeral Home. For further information, please visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.