Timothy Edwin “Tim” Smith, 48, of Ridgecrest, CA, and formerly of Rolling Prairie, IN, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in Los Angeles, CA.
He was born Oct. 1, 1966, in LaPorte to Robert J. and Jane Ann (Fisher) Smith.
Tim worked as the Senior Fire Control Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems Engineer responsible for advanced technology development, demonstrations and project management of NAVAIR and ONR Science and Technology future capability improvements for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and Tactical Aviation programs at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. The F/A-18 Super Hornet was Tim’s favorite plane in which to fly.
He graduated from New Prairie High School in 1985 and went on to graduate from Purdue University, West Lafayette, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Tim then obtained his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University at Northridge. In 2003 he graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School (Class 124) at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. He was a member of Rolling Prairie First Christian Church. Tim was very active and enjoyed travelling, hiking, water sports, golf and coming home to help on the farm.
Surviving are his parents, of Rolling Prairie, IN; two brothers, Robert J. (Sarah) Smith and Thomas K. (Terilynn) Smith, both of LaPorte; four nieces, Kaitlyn, Calleigh, Kristen and Tommilyn; and friend Minh-Khue Nguyen, who currently resides in Arlington, VA.
Private family services will be held and burial will follow in New Carlisle Cemetery, New Carlisle, IN. Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to First Christian Church, 113 W. Michigan St., Rolling Prairie, IN 46371; or to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at http://www.nmcrs.org.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.