Hank Wendall Smetak

Henry “Hank” Wendell Smetak passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, at his home from complications of long covid.

Hank was born in Flatonia, Texas and lived in the town of West until he joined the Army at 17, after graduating High School. After the Army, he moved to Dallas to work in aircraft manufacturing. He worked in aerospace and missile manufacturing for the next 50 years living in San Diego, Seattle, and Dallas/Fort Worth. After retiring from engineering, he received his real estate license and worked for Century 21 Judge Fite until age 92. He was honored on the floor of the US House of Representatives in tribute to his 50 years in the defense industry, retiring from Lockheed Martin in 1998. During his extensive career in aerospace, he made critical contributions to important United States space projects, including the Anti-satellite weapon (ASAT), the Space Shuttle and many other classified projects. In his second career as a realtor, he worked for over 23 years at Judge Fite where he earned many awards for his service and production including Master Ruby Award in production and the Quality Service Award which he earned annually. His clients were always his first concern and he worked very hard to be supportive to make each transaction easy for the client.

He will be greatly missed and remembered for his love of God, selfless service, dedication to his family, sage advice, fierce Bridge and Texas Hold ‘Em playing.

Hank is survived by sister Patricia and Don Hancock (Waco, TX); son, Steven Smetak and Cindy Smetak (Westminster, CO); son, Todd Smetak and Betty Smetak (Poolville, TX); daughter, Tiffany Smetak Scurr and William Scurr (West Hartford, CT); eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by loving wife, Glenda Smetak; daughter, Cathy Carlson; mother, Mary Pinter Smetak; father, Alfons Smetak; brother, Marcel Smetak; brother, Alfons Jr. Smetak; sister, Margaret Smetak; brother, James Smetak.