We were saddened to learn about the death, on August 21, of Tom Smithberger. Tom was a familiar face at SFEMS concerts, as he was at many early music events in the Bay Area. An affable and thoughtful man, he enjoyed talking with the performers and other audience members at performances. We will miss his presence and extend our condolences to his large community of friends and family.
Early music was only one of Tom’s passions and one part of what was a very rich and active life. He had an interest in Swedish folk dancing and music, but perhaps his greatest love was Norwegian traditional dancing and the music of the Hardanger Fiddle, or in Norwegian, hardingfele. He attended many different Scandinavian music workshops over the years, from Southern California to Washington State to Vermont. He also frequently attended the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America’s yearly weekend workshop at Folklore Village, Wisconsin. He actually last attended the workshop in July of this year.
Tom also had a deep love of nature. He studied forestry at the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1953, and after a brief stint in the Navy returned for a Master’s degree. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to study forestry practices in Norway. Tom worked his entire professional life for the US Forest Service. One of his early assignments was near Yreka. He finished his working career in San Francisco. Friends recall he had many tales of encounters with owls, ravens, storms, and other parts of the natural world.
Tom was born on April 9, 1931 in Mishawaka, Indiana and married Rigmor Wolfert of Oslo, Norway on June 15, 1957. He is survived by 8 nieces and nephews as well as many loyal friends.
A celebration of Tom’s life will take place from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m., Sunday, October 4, at the Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Avenue, Kensington. It will include a sharing of memories, a memorial potluck feast, and Scandinavian dancing. All friends of Tom are welcome. Please see the attached flyer for details.
Fred Bialy, Jonathan Harris, Janine Johnson, and Beverly Smithberger contributed to this story.
