Charlie Smith, past Clark and Mimi White Award winner, legendary fish culturist, and pioneering fish health professional passed away on October 6, 2023. Charlie was one of the greats of fisheries science in the West—a trusted mentor to countless fisheries professionals, including many of its leaders of today. Charlie dedicated his life to learning and discovery, and to teaching others for the benefit of our profession. He took genuine satisfaction in contributing to healthy fish and fisheries and from seeing his colleagues succeed.

For his many scientific and personal contributions to fish culture and fish health, he was inducted into the AFS Fish Culture Section’s Fish Culture Hall of Fame as well as the Northwest Fish Culture Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of many other awards for his distinguished service, including the US Trout Farmers Association’s Clark and Mimi White Award and the AFS Fish Health Section’s Snieszko Award. Charlie was also granted honorary membership in the American Fisheries Society, a recognition reserved for those who have achieved outstanding professional accomplishments. Despite all these professional superlatives, Charlie was a humble man with heart, who always seemed to be having a good day. Charlie was quick with a kind word and to shake hands with new acquaintances or old friends.  His were hands that had known work and the outdoors—the hands of a man who might have recently landed a salmon, dressed an elk, worked his horses, or bucked a few hay bales.  But these same hands also shaped the disciplines of fish culture and health as we know them and lifted up so many professionals working in these fields today. The last few lines on Charlie’s plaque enshrined in the Fish Culture Hall of Fame speak to his rare qualities as both a scientist and a man:  “Charlie Smith has left a legacy most fishery workers never achieve. His friendly, gentle manner and concern for others is outstanding.”

Charlie is survived by his wife, Jo Smith; son, Greg (Pam) Smith; daughters, Cheri (Bill) Kirkpatrick, Shanna (Matt) Sample, Shellie (Jeff) Leek; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and the many fisheries professionals whose work and lives were that much better for having known him.

For more on the life and legacy of Charlie Smith, his obituary may be found here.