Donald D. Smith Dds

Visitation for Donald David Smith DDS, a longtime resident of Kildeer, IL, will be held Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. A private Graveside Burial is set for Monday, May 8, 2023, at Fairfield Cemetery, Lake Zurich, where he will be laid to rest next to his loving wife.

Don passed away peacefully on May 2, 2023, at his home surrounded by his children; just four days shy of his 92nd birthday. Don was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Barbara Smith. He is survived by his children: Sue (Scott) Jordan; Margie (Rosemary Marlatt) Smith; Cathy (Dave) Moenning; Joan (Jim) Weinrauch; Laurie (Jeanne Grimes) Smith; and Tony (Nicole) Smith. Don was the proud “Papa” of 14 grandchildren: Katie, Kris, Kelly, Amy, Don, Samantha, Steve, Jaclyn, Matt, Danielle, Jack, Luke, Brady and Alyssa. He was also the proud Papa to 11 great-grandchildren: Cooper, Parker, Reece, Colin, Claire, Robert James, Vivienne, William, Evelyn, James and Madeline. Papa truly lived for all the happy times spent with his family; he attended every holiday, birthday, wedding, baptism, first communion, graduation, family gatherings on the porch, and watched all his kids and many of his local grandkids play their respective sports.

Don was born an identical twin on May 6, 1931, in Des Plaines, IL to David and Marguerite Smith. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald, and his two sisters, Lucille and Janet. Don graduated as Class President of Lakeview High School in 1949. He attended the University of Illinois Chicago at Navy Pier, got married to Barbara in Chicago on October 3,1953 and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Northwestern University Dental School in 1956. Don served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1956-1962. He was stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX and Drew AFB in France. While in France, Don and Barbara travelled extensively throughout Europe and it became a favorite travel destination in the years to follow for both of them.

In 1962, Don returned to the United States and moved his young growing family to Arlington Heights, IL. He and his twin brother, Ronald, opened Smith Family Dental in Arlington Heights within walking distance from each of their homes. The twins were loved by their patients and staff. In 1970, Don and Barbara moved their family into their dream home built in the neighborhood of Pine Valley in Kildeer, IL. The years to follow would see many joyous family gatherings on the porch filled with laughter, food and storytelling. Don also enjoyed watching golf tournaments, the Cubs, the Bears, and Ela Library DVD movies, especially those about WW II. In his later years, Don and Barb discovered the area of Palm Desert, CA. and spent many winters in this area, which became one of his favorite places to enjoy golf, good restaurants and the warm sunshine.

Don was a very active man and a very avid golfer. He learned how to play golf in the military and passionately loved that game ever since! In his younger days, he was a good swimmer/lifeguard and played squash and racquetball with his brother on their lunch hours at the local YMCA. In his late 30’s, Don learned to play basketball from his daughters, and he spent many nights after work shooting hoops with his extended family. Thereafter, Don played basketball well into his 70’s with his buddies at a local school gym.

More than anything, Don loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His lasting legacy is the love he shared with all of them and the role model he was as a father, husband and grandfather.

In Lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated in Donald’s name to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital – https://www.stjude.org or Lurie Children’s Hospital – https://www.luriechildrens.org