Obituary of Homer Bertman Smith

Homer Bertman Smith - March 13, 1915 - March 14, 2013. Homer was born in Harvey, Illinois and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees at Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana. He met Mildred Hollett there and they were married in November, 1938. Homer taught high school in Indiana and at Indiana University until he was called to service in the Navy Reserve. He saw combat during several South Pacific island landings on board the USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76), including the action off Samar Island during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He had a distinguished career as a sales training executive with the National Office Products Association, author and publisher. He was honored to be the President of the National Society of Sales Training Executives in 1976. Several of his classic selling books continue to sell well. Homer is predeceased by his beloved wife Mildred and survived by their five children, Barbara (Dean) Presnall, David (Valerie) Smith, Louise (Joseph) Mariani, Robert (Catherine) Smith and Nancy (Rick) Grinberg, and by John and Terry Peters, twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Homer was loved, admired and honored and will be greatly missed. A memorial service and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smile Train, www.smiletrain.org. Online condolences can be made at www.rappfuneral.com