Paul Eric Smith was born on January 4, 1942, in Trenton, New Jersey to Paul Elmer Smith, MD and Agnes Esther (Erickson) Smith.  Soon after, the family returned to Bloomington, Indiana where Paul spent his childhood.  Before his final year of high school they moved to Indianapolis where he graduated from Lawrence Central High School.  Following graduation Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in southeast Asia from 1961-1963 during the onset of the Vietnam War.  Returning home, Paul utilized the G.I. Bill to obtain his bachelor's degree from Indiana University followed by a master's degree in economics from Mankato State University in Minnesota.  While in Mankato recovering from a routine surgery, Paul's nurse, Cleone, became the love of his life. After a first date in his beloved 1963 Corvette Stingray, they were soon married and remained inseparable for 51 years until Cleone's passing in 2023.

Most who knew Paul knew he was a railroader.  What began as a college summer job bartending on the Northern Pacific Railway's North Coast Limited passenger train became his life's work.  From the executive offices of the Denver & Rio Grande Western and Southern Pacific Railroads, to the locomotive cabs of the Union Pacific Railroad, and lastly, to his favorite position, owner of Smith Railroad Consulting, the steel rails werewhat he knew best.

After moving to Colorado the day after being married in 1972, Paul and Cleone called Denver home.  While raising a family, Paul was also deeply engaged in his community, especially his neighborhood and church.  He coached youth soccer, coordinated block parties, served on various leadership committees at Park Hill United Methodist Church, and campaigned for local political candidates.  His warm personality and integrity made him a good friend and neighbor to many.  He loved music, history, Indiana University, and relentlessly trying to improve his questionable golf skills.

However, Paul's greatest source of pride was his family.  A father to two kids, and Papa to four grandkids, Paul's presence and love will live on in their lives and memory.  There was nothing he would not do for those he loved the most.  Paul passed away peacefully on June 29, 2024 from complications related to chronic heart failure.  He was preceded in death by his wife Cleone (Heil) Smith, his parents, and his sister Susan (Smith) Arteel.  He is survived by his siblings, Chistopher Smith and Pauline (Smith) Winters, and his children and their spouses, Aaron Smith and Michelle Houghton-Smith, Meghan (Smith) Bentley-Allen and Will Allen, and grandchildren Samuel, Brooke, Taylor, and Elizabeth.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 11:00am at Park Hill United Methodist Church 5209 Montview Blvd, Denver, CO 80207.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations  be directed to Park Hill United Methodist Church , Brighton Hospice or the Colorado Railroad Museum .