DAVID PAUL SMAY, III

Born: August 25, 1940
Died: April 17, 2008

David Smay was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania and grew up in Kenmore, New York. He was the son of David Paul Smay, Jr., and Mary Margueretta Park Smay. He prepared for Yale at Kenmore High School and Mercersburg Academy.

David was a member of Branford College where he was on the football team. He majored in economics and was on Dean's List. He roomed for 3 years with Ken Merkey, who supplied his recollections for this obituary. Following graduation, David received his M.B.A. at Harvard in 1964.

David was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1966 and then received a direct commission in the U.S. Navy where he served as an Intelligence Officer for several years rising to the rank of Lieutenant.

David then began a 40 year career in the oil industry with Standard Oil of California, later known as Chevron Corporation. He worked as a manager in aviation foreign sales, trading manager for Europe, foreign exchange manager and finance manager. While serving as finance manager, he implemented Chevron's $14 Billion acquisition of Gulf Oil Company. He subsequently held positions as Chevron's assistant treasurer, as general credit manager and as treasurer of Chevron Products Company. His final assignment was as general manager of benefit plan investments when he retired from Chevron in 2005.

David served as chairman of the board of Chevron Texaco Credit Union for 15 years and he was also active with industry organizations, serving as chairman of the Association of Financial Professionals and of the American Petroleum Institute's Treasury Group.

David married Claudia Minium, a native Californian, in 1970. In the early 1970's they lived in London. On their return they settled in Hillsborough, California, where they resided for 33 years. They have 2 sons, Maj. David Paul Smay, IV, U.S.M.C., a Marine test pilot now stationed at China Lake Naval Weapons Station, and Brian Edward Smay, of Palo Alto, who is employed with a Silicon Valley start up in sales of specialized college science instructional materials. Claudia is a self-employed interior designer.

David and Ken Merkey remained in close contact over the years. Ken recalled that their lives frequently interlaced after Yale. In 1964 they were both in San Diego where David was stationed with the Marines and Ken was on a submarine at Point Loma. 1974 found them both in London together when Ken was with Citibank. "We each acquired an antique Rolls Royce," Ken said, "and toured England with them. David had a passion for antiques, especially clocks, cars and books."

After his retirement David served on the Board to Prevent Blindness of Northern California, and the board of the Chevron Retirees Association. He was also a member of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, an international organization celebrating fine food and wine, and numerous automobile clubs. He continued to pursue his hobbies. In addition to his antique car collection (9 vehicles including 1936 and 1937 Rolls Royces and a Porsche 356), David collected antique clocks which filled the walls of their home, rare books and ship models. "His Sunday chore was to wind all clocks," Claudia said.

David was diagnosed with islet pancreatic cancer in 2002. In Ken Merkey's words, "he courageously and stubbornly fought the disease with experimental procedures and drugs. At times we thought he may have actually won the battle. He never lost his spirit. He and Claudia continued to travel the world and he pursued his hobbies. He was a class act and he will be missed." Claudia recalled their trip to New Zealand in 2007 as very special.

In addition to Claudia and his two sons, David is survived by his daughter in law Nancy Smay, David's wife, and their grandson, Collin David Paul Smay, of Ridgecrest, California. David's sister Margueretta Gulati of Orange, California also survives him. The family asked that contributions be made to the University of California San Francisco Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Fund.