PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Dave Smith, a retired vice president of Hunter Engineering Co., has died. He was 75.
Smith, who retired in 2014, joined Hunter in 1975 as a business representative for the Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina markets, before being promoted to Cleveland regional manager in 1980.
Smith was named Hunter's vice president of sales and marketing in 1984 and moved to the corporate headquarters in St. Louis. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2008. In that role, he continued to manage Hunter's dedicated field organization throughout North America and guided Hunter's marketing department.
He was living in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Kim and grandsons Lucas, Benjamin and Blake.
"Known for his love of golf and great sense of humor, Dave was instrumental in leading Hunter through a period of great growth, increasing the company's sales and service organization from 200 representatives to more than 630," Hunter said.
At the time of Smith's retirement, Hunter Chairman Stephen Brauer said: "Dave took over Hunter's sales organization at a difficult time in the company's history. His enthusiasm and dedication for the next 24 years led to the creation of the industry's greatest equipment sales and service force and unprecedented success with all of Hunter's major customers. Dave's contribution to Hunter's growth is immeasurable."