Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 | 2 a.m.
Arnold Smith viewed life energetically and optimistically, so much so that he took over planning from his daughters for his upcoming 90th birthday celebration even though he was seriously ill.
And just before checking into a Los Angeles hospital last week, the successful businessman stopped for a haircut and manicure. On Saturday, though, Smith lost his battle with a lengthy illness and passed away. He was 89.
The father of Myra Greenspun, wife of Las Vegas Sun Publisher and Editor Brian Greenspun, Smith lived in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley. He counted among his friends former President Bill Clinton. Smith, a former member of the Democratic National Committee representing Arizona, hosted a fundraiser at his home for Clinton when the latter first ran for the presidency in 1992 and also was a member of the trustees’ committee for his re-election campaign in 1996.
The two men were introduced by the Greenspuns.
“I am sure I loved him more than he loved me,” Clinton said Monday. “He was the most positive, principled and good-hearted man I ever met. If we had more men like Arnold Smith, we’d have fewer problems in our country and in the world.”
Born Nov. 12, 1921, in New York City’s Manhattan borough, Smith moved with his parents to Arizona in 1929, where his father found success in the scrap metal business. He and brother Herb eventually took over the family business, Smith Pipe & Steel Co., and Smith as chairman turned it into the largest steel construction supplier in Phoenix, serving the Southwest. One of its major clients was Arizona State University.
Smith also sold State of Israel Bonds and was active in many Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, World Jewish Congress, National Jewish Medical & Research Center, Beth El Congregation and Chai Society, Beth Israel and the American Jewish Committee.
He also was affiliated with the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix, Israel Now Campaign, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Council For Jews With Special Needs, Zionist Organization of America, Hillel, Jewish Family & Children’s Service, and North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry.
Smith served as vice president of Kivel Campus of Care in Phoenix, chairman of Pioneer Bank of Arizona and board member for U.S. Freight & Transway International.
“This man lived life to the fullest,” Myra Greenspun said. “Every day was the most wonderful experience for him. His glass was always overflowing.”
An avid tennis player who golfed and enjoyed boxing as a spectator, Smith was described by Brian Greenspun as “the most optimistic man I ever knew.”
“He never had a bad day in his life,” Greenspun said. “Even when he was sick he felt he was going to get better.”
Granddaughter Amy Arenson, daughter of Brian and Myra Greenspun, echoed those sentiments.
“He was the most fun-loving man, a guy who took life by the reins and didn’t slow down for a minute,” she said. “He found the best part of life and lived it. He was so inspiring in that way.”
Smith is survived by Rachel Smith, his wife of 64 years, daughters Myra and Madeline, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave. in Phoenix with interment to follow at Beth El Cemetery in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arnold Smith Cancer Research Program at the University of Southern California Center for Applied Molecular Medicine, 9033 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90211, or the Arnold Smith Fund at HeartFoundation in care of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 31822 Village Center Road, Suite 208, Westlake Village, Calif. 91361.
