John Smuk

John Smuk passed away April 2nd at the age of 89. He led a very full and adventurous life and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

John graduated from high school in Aurora, MN in 1950. He attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul for two years prior to transferring to Michigan College of Mining and Technology to play football and complete his B.S. degree with honors in Chemical Engineering. John continued his education and earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin making him the first native from Aurora to achieve this degree.

He was a multi-talented individual who was not only a top high school track, basketball and football player but also a talented musician.  He played the trumpet so well at graduation that he was one of three students selected to participate in the Head of the Lakes Music Festival as a soloist.​

John had a long career where he traveled the world with Potlach Corporation, the United Nations, and was a key stakeholder in an Iron Range company that made some of the first calculators and computer keyboards.

John enjoyed golfing, hiking, learning languages, and lifting weights. At age 73, he hiked the Grand Canyon with a group of friends on a multi-day trip and at the age of 80, he was blessed to have the opportunity and physical strength to go on a rafting/camping trip in the western national parks. He was always one to keep his mind and body in incredible shape.

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Marilyn of 52 years; and leaves behind his three children, Kathy (Michael), Tricia (Mac) and Christopher (Kristin); as well as his six grandchildren, Andrew (Emily), Jacob, Emily, Sean, Alicia, Madeline and two great grandchildren. A private family Mass and burial will be held in April followed by a Celebration of Life in May.