Sammie Devere ‘Sam’ Smith, 78, of Paradise Lake, Effingham, KS, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the Atchison Medicalodge.  

Mr. Smith will be cremated and a visitation with the family will be held on Monday, April 27, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Becker Chapel in Effingham.  Memorial contributions in honor of Sam are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.  

Sam was born on October 24, 1936 in Newburg, MO, the son of Levi P. and Eula (Christesson) Smith.   Sam graduated from the University of Missouri–Rolla (originally Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy) with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He went on to become a licensed Professional Engineer.   Sam began his engineering career in Atchison working for Rockwell International.  He then worked for TMC in New Mexico, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco, CA, the New York Transit System and finally moved back to Atchison where he retired from Atchison Casting.  Sam was a member of the Atchison Elks Lodge.  

Sam and Norma Jean Leonard were united in marriage on December 22, 1957 in Rolla, MO.  

Sam is survived by his wife of 57 years, Norma Jean Smith; a daughter, Samra Dee Smith Hendrickson Adams; a sister, Neva Juanita Smith; and a grandson, Ryan Hendrickson.  

Sam was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Duane Smith.