Charles R. Smith

Charles R. (Charlie) Smith was called to his heavenly home on July 21, 2025, just shy of 96. Charlie was born in Neenah, WI on August 10, 1929, son of the late Peter Smith and Anne (Groeschel) (Smith) Marvin.

Charlie graduated from Appleton High School in 1947 and started to work for Wisconsin Bell Telephone, a subsidiary of AT&T. He held various positions and worked in the Appleton, Fond du Lac, Madison and Watertown, Wisconsin locations. He retired in 1986, after 38 years, when he held a position of Supervising Engineer of Planning and Budgets for Appleton District.

He married the love of his life, Shirley A. Quimby, on December 16, 1950, at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Together they raised their beautiful family and would have celebrated their 75th anniversary in December.

On January 10, 1952, he was drafted into the U S Army and proudly served two years. He spent all of that period at Camp Gordon in Georgia teaching in the Communication school. After basic training and advanced training he and Shirley were allowed to live off post in Augusta, GA. When they moved back to Wisconsin, they started their family.

In 1970, he and Shirley bought lake property in Sugar Camp, Wisconsin. Together they built their cottage in 1971 and over the years created many, many memories with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved fishing and water skied until he was 79! One of his favorite things to do at the end of each wonderful day was to watch the sun set with Shirley on their dock.

Retirement didn’t slow him down. He and his wife enjoyed their years of retirement at their cottage, some traveling, and volunteering in their community. He was an active member of St Thomas More Catholic Church from 1968 until his death. Charlie volunteered at AMC Hospital in various capacities from 1988 until his death, drove for FISH for 24 years, and was a volunteer tax counselor for AARP for 26 years.

Charlie enjoyed fishing, water skiing, playing pool, finances, politics, bowling, golfing, dancing, Sudoku and Free Cell. Charlie liked to be busy, he rarely sat still. He was proud of fixing things on his own and making something out of nothing. He also enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to water ski and fish. Charlie had the best fish fry in the northwoods! He was meticulous with cleaning the fish he caught and fried them up for his family to enjoy – lightly breaded and no bones!

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and children Sharon (Martin) Hintz, Appleton; Barbara Smith, Oshkosh; Susan (William) Emmers, Appleton; Kathleen (James) Riske, Appleton; Daniel (Deanna) Smith, Appleton; 12 Grandchildren, Michael (Jenny) Hintz, Andrew (Judy) Hintz, Kurtis (Sarah) Hintz, Ashley (Ryan McMan) Beyer, Jacqueline (Jacob) Schlotthauer, Elizabeth Beyer, Tanya (Jordan) Clow, Stephanie Emmers, Anthony Riske, Alexander Riske, Derek Smith, Dane Smith; and 12 Great-Grandchildren, Thomas Hintz, Abbigail Hintz, Samuel Hintz, Charles Hintz, Oliver Hintz, Jack Hintz, Katelynn Hintz, Lacey Beyer, Braxton Bradley, Lotus Blue, Makenna Clow and Marshall Clow. He is further survived by his half-brother, Roman Smith, brother-in-law Thomas Quimby, sister-in-law Bonnie Quimby, sister-in-law Gerrie Quimby; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by a sister Betty (Cleon) Egan; a step-brother William Marvin; Shirley’s parents Helen and George Quimby; in-law’s Donald Quimby, Joan (Norman) Meshak, David Quimby, Mary Quimby, Ann “Queenie” (Kenneth) Pozorski. Grandchildren Michael John Smith and Sara Ann Emmers.

The family would like to thank the ThedaCare Regional Hospital and Hospice Teams for the care and compassion they showed Charlie and his family throughout his stay.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas More Church on Monday August 4, 2025, at 11:00am. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until services at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LEAVEN.