Dr. Smith

Dr. Henry Dixon Smith, 88, of Brainerd, MN, died on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Brainerd. Funeral Services for Dixon will be Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 2 PM at Park United Methodist Church, Brainerd, with Pastor Justin Halbermasa officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 PM at the church. A second service is being planned at the Boettcher Mansion in Golden, CO on Friday, October 30, 2015 at Noon.

Dixon Smith was born on January 29, 1927 in Walhalla, ND, son of Rev. Thomas and Charlotte (Dixon) Smith. As his father was a pastor, Dixon grew up in Walhalla, Edmore, Drayton, rural Rugby and Ellendale in North Dakota, before the family moved to Iowa. There they lived in Burr Oak, Decorah and Edgewood, where Dixon graduated from high school in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy and served at the USNR at Great Lakes, IL and at the US Naval Air Station in Minneapolis, MN. He reenlisted in January of 1947 and was attached to the Reserve Service Division in Minneapolis as an Ensign USNR.

He was united in marriage with Iola Jane Seath on June 20, 1948 in Albert Lea, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota and received his B.S., M.A. and PhD, majoring in Geography. The family lived in Emporia, KS, from 1950 to 1963, where Dixon served as Professor of Geography at Kansas State Teachers College and later served as Registrar. They moved to Laramie, WY, where Dixon served as Registrar and Director of Admissions at the University of Wyoming from 1963 to 1969. From 1969 to 1971, Dixon served as Assistant for Academic Affairs for the Trustees of the State Colleges of Colorado in Denver. He returned to teaching as Professor of Geography and Chair of the Earth Sciences Dept. at Metropolitan State College of Denver from 1971, until retiring in 1989. He retired from the US Naval Reserve as Commander in July of 1974, following 29 years of service. His wife, Iola, died in March of 2008. The family now lived in Golden, CO.

In September of 2012, Dixon attended a Methodist Adult Retreat Camp near Ely, MN where he met Mary Steffenson. Following a long-distance relationship, they were married on April 27, 2013 in Golden, CO and spent their summers in Brainerd, MN and winters in Golden, CO.

Dixon was an Eagle Scout, enjoyed skiing (cross-country and downhill), hiking in the mountains, photography, and traveling (all over the world). He was a naturalist, and corresponded with a large number of family and friends.

Dixon is survived by his wife: Mary Steffenson of Brainerd; daughter: Christine (Sam) Butler of Kansas City, MO; sons: Scott (Shelby) Smith of Lakewood, CO, Bruce (Kristen) of Grand Junction, CO, and Bill Smith of Golden, CO; six grandchildren: Luke Smith, Mallory Butler, Kali Smith, Brendon Butler, Ian Smith and Alec Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents: Rev. Thomas and Charlotte Smith; a sister: Gwen Schwartz; three brothers: T. Elwin Smith, Walter Smith and Harold "Bud" Smith; his wife: Iola Smith. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.