Brian Ralph Smith, 78, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, in Orem, Utah.

Brian was born on November 3, 1947, in Wendell, Idaho, to Ralph Smith and Theda Waldron Smith. He spent his early years in the farming communities of southern Idaho, living in Jerome during his preschool years before attending elementary school in Shoshone. When his family later moved to Rupert, he completed junior high and graduated from high school there, while working as a transit clerk and relief teller during his high school years.

After high school, Brian enrolled at Brigham Young University, where he studied Electrical Engineering. Following his freshman year, he accepted a call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Spanish-American Mission. He spent the summer of 1967 in Provo studying Spanish before serving in California in the San Bernardino, Delano, Stockton, Paramount, North Long Beach, East Los Angeles, Kingsburg, and Selma areas.

While serving in the mission office in East Los Angeles, Brian served as the mission president's personal secretary and editor of the mission's weekly newsletter while continuing his work as a full-time missionary. One of his most treasured missionary experiences was helping a mother and two of her children prepare for baptism. His mission strengthened his testimony, expanded his love for people, and sparked a lasting affection for young children.

Returning to BYU, Brian completed both his bachelor's degree and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering. Because of his love for children, he also pursued additional coursework and earned a minor in Child Development and Family Relations. Years later, those talents naturally led to his being called to serve as a nursery leader in his church congregation, a calling he greatly enjoyed.

On February 14, 1978, Brian married Kristine Louise Arnes in Oakland, California. Together they built a home centered on faith, learning, music, and family. They made their home in San Jose, California, where they raised their three children, Stephanie, Katrina, and Scott. Brian found his greatest joy in being a husband, father, and grandfather.

Brian enjoyed a long and accomplished engineering career. His work contributed to the development of color television cameras, optical memory systems, high-speed film cameras, wide-format plotters, marine sensors and seismographs, and components of the da Vinci robotic surgical system. He loved solving complex engineering problems and quietly took pride in knowing his work helped advance technology that benefited countless people.

Outside of schooling and work, Brian pursued many interests with enthusiasm. He participated in a variety of sports and especially loved table tennis and racquetball, becoming a skilled and competitive player in both. He also enjoyed baseball, basketball, tennis, and chess.

Music filled much of Brian's life. He began taking accordion lessons in fourth grade and later became an accomplished drummer, performing in concert, marching, and jazz bands, as well as with the local rock-and-roll band The Tyros. While in high school, he won the prestigious "Outstanding Instrumentalist Award" for his drumming, which sent him on to participate in a state-wide music competition. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica on occasion. His primary love was jazz music, and he also spent many years singing bass in his church's ward choir.

Ballroom dancing became another lifelong passion. Brian especially loved classical ballroom dancing and always treasured the compliment from an experienced dance partner who told him he was "the smoothest dancer" she had ever danced with. It was a memory that brought him joy throughout his life.

Brian also devoted countless hours to family history and genealogy. He served in various roles at the Santa Clara California Family History Center and participated in the Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group, combining his technical skills with his love of preserving family heritage for future generations.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Kristine; his children, Stephanie Taylor and spouse, Nathan, Katrina Leigh and spouse, David, and Scott Smith and spouse, Falisha; his cherished grandchildren, Leah, Evelyn, Jeremy, Chloe, Peter, and Elanor; his brother, Craig; and his sister, Sharla. He also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will miss his kindness, intelligence, and quiet sense of humor.

Brian will be remembered as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, a gifted engineer, a lifelong learner, a talented musician and dancer, a passionate family historian, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He approached life with curiosity, integrity, and gentle determination, finding joy in learning new things, serving others, and spending time with those he loved. His influence lives on in his family, in the many lives he touched through service, and in the innovations to which he quietly contributed throughout his career.

His family finds comfort in the knowledge that families are eternal and rejoices in the hope of a joyful reunion through the Savior, Jesus Christ.