Philip Anthony Smith

Philip Anthony Smith was born in Woodburn, Oregon, Feb. 6, 1949. He was the fifth of seven children born to Helen F. and Raymond P. Smith of St. Paul, Oregon. He died September 30, 2014, at his home in Milwaukie, from complications due to a diagnosis of MSA-C (Multiple Systems Atrophy, Type Cerebellar, a neuro-degenerative condition for which there is no cure). Phil graduated from St. Paul High School in 1967 and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Portland in 1971. After starting his career with Hyster Company, and then Portland Wire and Iron, Phil found his true home at Oregon Iron Works in 1976. He worked at their facility in Clackamas until his condition forced his retirement in 2011. Over his 35 years with the company, he was appreciated for his talent for project management. His attention to detail was unparalleled, and the quality and integrity of steel fabrication and the OIW name was always his first priority. Phil is survived by his wife Julia, son Stephen R., brothers Dr. Ronald P. of Spokane, George A. of Snohomish (Jeanne), Gregory L. of Seattle (Becky), sisters Loraine Flatters of Tigard (Jim), Mary Sue Ehrhardt of Forest Grove (Jack), and fourteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, younger brother, Stephen J., and sister-in-law, Margaret. A funeral mass has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3rd at 11:30 am at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego. A private burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to MSA research in memory of Phil. Please make checks payable to: The MSA Coaltion, 9935-D Rea Road, #212, Charlotte, NC 28277."",