Lasting Memories
Sam Smidt
May 1, 1931-Jan. 12, 2016
Menlo Park, California
Submitted by Becca Smidt
Graphic designer and artist Sam Smidt refined his unique style of nuance, wit and sophistication in a career spanning more than 50 years. Sam passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the age of 84, joining his lifelong partner and wife, Marlene, in heaven. He was a loving father to Nathan and Becca, and proud grandfather to Sarah Kirby-Smidt.
Sam Smidt was born in Peabody, Massachusetts, in 1931, and when he was 10 his family moved to California. He met his sweetheart and future wife, Marlene Joy Roth, when they were students at San Francisco's Presidio Junior High. Sam and Marlene kept in touch after he joined the Navy, for which he served as an acoreman in the Korean War. After his stint in the Navy, Sam returned to San Francisco where he and Marlene were married.
In 1954, Sam enrolled in his first art class at Steven's School in San Francisco (now the Academy of Art University). With instructor G. Dean Smith's encouragement, in 1957 Sam attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. At Art Center, Louis Danziger taught him that successful design solutions require a seamless marriage of form and content. This philosophy shaped Sam's creative vision -- influencing his design work, as well as his work in photography and video.
After graduation, Sam's first job was at S.R.I. (Stanford Research Institute) in Menlo Park. He also began to work with well-known Bay Area developer Mike Podell (Redwood Shores, etc.). This started his career in advertising and design. During this period he became father to Nathan and Becca, with Marlene by his side through all aspects of their lives.
He opened Sam Smidt Associates in Palo Alto Square in the 1970s. Among his former employees are well-known typographers Paul Sinn and Bob Sleeper. By the 1980s Sam Smidt Associates was recognized as one of the Bay Area's top advertising agencies, and it was also during this time that Sam's friend, Harry Powers, encouraged him to apply to San José State to teach design. Hired immediately based on his reputation, Sam taught at San José State from 1960 to 1997, and on retirement was named Professor Emeritus. In the early '80s he sold the advertising agency to Humpal, Leftwich and Sinn, and opened his studio, Sam Smidt, Inc. on High Street in Palo Alto, where he specialized in branding and environmental signage.
Among Sam's many signature project,s he helped create the brand for the cutting-edge furniture store The Minimal Space, was art director for the music and audio magazine, Fi, and from 1994 to 2009 he designed the beautiful publications of Healing Environments, a nonprofit that comforted thousands struggling with life-threatening illness and their families.
Sam's work is in the permanent collections of SFMOMA and LACMA, as well The Smithsonian Institution. In 2013, at the age of 82, Sam was honored by the AIGA Fellows Award recognizing designers who have made a significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence in design.
Sam was also a highly talented photographer and videographer, and brought his elegantly whimsical touch to the drawing pad, where his playful cast of graphite creations loved to float and cavort.
In addition to his love for his family and friends, Sam's passions encompassed travel, good food and wine, music and, of course, a good horse race. He will be greatly missed by his large circle of family and friends.
June 28, 2016
Sam was my graphic design instructor, during my senior year, at SJ State. I, also, worked for him part time during that year. His emphasis on creativity made a big impression on me, and has helped me, big time, during my 36 year career as a middle school art teacher. I do consider Sam the most influential teacher I have worked with. I do miss him and all his creative and encouraging ideas.
Jan. 29, 2016
Sam was a big part of my life as a friend and as a business colleague. We met as young men just starting out in Palo Alto in the early 70’s and were stuck with each other immediately. Not only did Sam do the design for every single project I ever developed, from my first to my last, but I involved him in it all aspects of the marketing because I so valued his opinion. We lunched frequently over the years, not to talk business but to talk about life. He was a philosopher of sorts. A wonderful man a close friend and will be sorely missed
Jan. 20, 2016
I was introduced to Sam while working at eBay as Sr. Manager Design and Workplace. Sam collaborated with us on several projects and won our hearts and minds with his endless talent, wit and demeanor. I will always remember Sam as he warmed my heart and soul and refreshed my zest for design, independence, following my heart and living with style and exuberance. Sending love to his wonderful daughter Becca who often accompanied Sam to meetings, and to his son Nathan who made dinner for us one evening at Sam's wonderful home. Kathleen Kelley
Jan. 17, 2016
Sam was my unofficial mentor. I always looked to his unique solutions for insight when my creative juices were running low, though I never told him. I was part of his Design "Team" at San Jose State and his longtime friend and I miss him. Thank you Sam for being there.
Jan. 16, 2016
