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Reardon Smith 19 October 2009
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REARDON SMITH died October 19, 2009. Reardon was born
August 1, 1946 in South Wales, and attended Reading Univer-
sity, 40 miles west of London, and received a BSc. Degree
in Cybernetics and Instrument Physics. When he was 21, he
married the love of his life, Joan Mitchell, from Scotland.
They celebrated 41 years of marriage June 22 this year.
Both Reardon and Joan wanted to see the world, so in 1969,
Reardon joined the London office of Geophysical Research International,
a US oil research company, and together he and Joan traveled the world
to Canada, Australia, Singapore, and many exotic places in between.
Along the way, sons Paul and Neil were born and happily traveled the
world with their parents. Reardon was transferred to Dallas in 1980,
and to Houston in 1989. Reardon and Joan became American citizens in
1991. Reardon worked in the energy industry for 32 years, holding a
variety of technical and worldwide operational management positions.
He was highly regarded by all for his intelligence, integrity,
wonderful sense of humor, and strong code of ethics. In recent years,
Reardon started his own company, Business Vectors, and shared his
wealth of knowledge and experience helping companies with product
development. He devoted much of his time and energy to S&R Resources
as VP of wireless markets. Reardon was active in local community and
professional groups. He was the past-president of the Houston Chapter
of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC); VP of Public
Relations for the Product Development and Management Associations'
Houston Chapter (PDMA); and he ran a career transitions SIG for the
local chapter of the American Society for Trainers and Developers
(ASTD), and an active member of Houston Organization Development
Network (HODN). He was also a past president of Toastmasters
International, Houston. Reardon was an exceptional gourmet cook, avid
gardener, and inquisitive `geo-cacher'. He never stopped being curious
about the world around him. Although intellectually curious, he was
also incredibly modest and extremely generous in sharing his knowledge
as he encouraged and inspired many others to find success using their
natural skills and talents. His was a life well-lived, but far too
short. He is mourned by his wife Joan; his two sons Paul and Neil;
2 year-old grandson Hugh Fraser; brother Mike Smith who lives in
Spain. Reardon will be sadly missed by friends and colleagues all over
the world whose lives he deeply touched. A memorial service will be
held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
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Kannan, in case you haven't already heard- this is terribly sad news -
we just got a call from Reardon Smith's wife. she said that Reardon
died early this afternoon - not sure of the cause - his son found him
on the floor by his computer at about 2 pm today.
This is right out of the blue- they came and stayed with us here in
Kerrville the previous week-end and there was no sign of any illness
at all - he was very fit and making plans for a cruise to Alaska next
year. He was too young.
Please pass this on those who knew Reardon. I don't know any more info
at the moment but will pass it on when I do.
Here are the details about the funeral arrangements for Reardon Smith.
Date/Time - Friday, Oct 23rd meeting between 10 and 12 am.
Place - Memorial Oaks Funeral Home - Stephen F. Austin State Room
Address - 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston Tel - 281-497-2210
Joan's address:
13923 Britoak
Houston, Texas, 77079
Tel - 281-870-8223
email jsmith@srresources.com
For those who wish to have a drink for Reardon, the family will be
at the Fox and Hounds pub at 11470 Westheimer (a couple of blocks
west of Wilcrest) after the 10-12 meetng at the Funeral Home.
Regards, Mike Connor