In Memoriam

Patrick Smith

1947-2006

Leaders, staff and friends of Habitat for Humanity are mourning the death of Patrick Smith, a member of Habitat for Humanity International’s board of directors and one of the 49 people who tragically lost their lives Sunday, Aug. 27, in the crash of Flight 5191 near Lexington, Ky.

The flight went down shortly after 6 a.m. about a mile west of the Lexington airport. Mr. Smith was 58.

Those who knew of Pat’s love for Habitat were not surprised to learn that he was on his way to join a contingent of Habitat volunteers from Kentucky in Gulfport, Miss., where 13 houses are under construction as part of Habitat’s Operation Home Delivery program. Led by Pat, the group has been active in Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area one year ago this week—just as they were in rebuilding projects in India following the 2004 tsunami.

Elected to HFHI’s board of directors last October, Pat had been a volunteer with Habitat in Lexington for more than 15 years, serving on the local board for seven years, including three as president. Pat also served on Habitat’s U.S. Council, having begun his term in May 2005.

As a Habitat volunteer, he had participated in numerous Global Village trips to West Africa and Northern Ireland, as well as serving as a crew leader on Jimmy Carter Work Projects in South Africa and Mexico. He was named Habitat’s volunteer of the year in 2003.

Pat was co-owner of Versa Tech Automation, an industrial automation company in Lexington.

The entire Habitat family extends its deepest sympathy to Pat’s wife Jean, their children and grandchildren. As they grieve this tragic loss, we also grieve. Habitat for Humanity has lost a wonderful friend.