Champney F. Smith ’51

Champney F. Smith ’51, who was born in the Netherlands and lived in Germany for the first seven years of his life, died April 5, 2015, in Houston, where he lived for many years as an enthusiastic Texan. Champ came to Dartmouth from the McDonogh School in Baltimore. He was an economics major, a member of Sigma Nu and played on the varsity lacrosse team. He later earned an M.B.A. at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was introduced to Texas during service in the U.S. Air Force and knew he had found his home. When his first employer, Continental Can Co., planned to move him from Texas, he resigned and joined the savings and loan industry, where he remained for 23 years. He became a senior vice president at Southwestern Savings Association and later president of Mainland Savings Association. Following the implosion of the S&L industry in the 1980s he became a self-employed real estate agent and mortgage loan consultant. Champ took great pride in his contribution to creating a nation of homeowners during his working career. He was a Texas history buff and enjoyed genealogical research. Following his retirement he taught at Houston Community College and Houston Baptist University. He was an active volunteer in Amigos de los Americas and the Houston Civic Music Association. Champ is survived by his wife, Trula, three children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His father, Ray W. Smith, was a Dartmouth graduate in the class of 1918.