Santa Rosa, CA Neil Smith, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, long-time teacher and outdoor enthusiast, passed away peacefully with family by his side in Santa Rosa, CA.

Born in Reno, NV, Neil grew up in the Oakland, East Bay area. As a teenager, he would often hitchhike to Yosemite to hike and camp with a buddy. He was drafted by the Navy during World WarII, where he was assigned to work on his Undergraduate degree at the College of the Pacific. He completed his Undergraduate Degree at UC Berkeley where he was a member of the gymnastics team. After graduation, he moved to the Monterey Peninsula and began his teaching career. While teaching in Carmel schools, starting at Sunset School, Neil would lead adventurous outings with his students to Yosemite, Mt. Diablo, and Pinnacles, and jaunts from River School to the Carmel River lagoon area. Neil loved to explore and share with others the beauty and challenge of the great outdoors. He finished his long, illustrious teaching career at Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley and Captain Cooper School in Big Sur.

In addition to spending time with his family, Neil loved biking, music, art, playing the piano, gardening, his caring group, his dogs, long trips, and challenging his children to various athletic feats.

Much later in life, Neil and his wife Ann Priebe moved from California to Kirkland, WA. After the passing of his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Neil relocated to Santa Rosa to be closer to family. Neil leaves behind daughters, Dorie (Smith) Ammons and Elizabeth (Priebe) Homsy (Sam), sons, Joel Smith (Anna Jin), David Priebe (Rachel Oser), and Nicholas Priebe (Jessica Hanover) and 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A gathering in remembrance of Neil will take place at Ribera Beach in the summer of 2025. Thanks, Pop, from all of us.