It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Gerald [Jerry] Smith. As many of you know, Jerry has been quite ill for the last month, and was placed in hospice care two weeks ago. He passed away at 8:00 a.m. on March 30, 2023.

Jerry was born and raised in Portland Oregon where he excelled in sports (especially baseball) and academics and met the love of his life, Sharon. Jerry’s dream was to attend Notre Dame University, where his older brother attended. After graduating from Notre Dame, Jerry attended UC-Berkeley. Upon receiving his law degree, Jerry built a thriving law practice in Oakland, CA where he and Sharon raised their two sons, Timothy and Christopher.

It was while practicing law that Jerry began working with Mr. Redfield, a wealthy land and financial investor from Reno, Nevada. After Mr. Redfield passed away his widow, Nell Redfield, asked Jerry to help her form the Nell J. Redfield Foundation with the mission of supporting programs for those most in need, enhancing education, and advancing health care. In 1974, the Nell J. Redfield Foundation was formed with Jerry Smith serving as President of the Board and Executive Director. He remained in that position until his death.

Throughout the years, Jerry and the Board significantly grew the Redfield endowment. Today the Redfield Foundation supports over 90 non-profit agencies. Jerry was a master at creating and promoting collaborations, with the Special Needs Collaborative, the Redfield Athletic Series, the Nursing Summit, and the Behavioral Health Collaborative as just a few examples. His caring and altruistic efforts, both formally and informally, have helped transform this community.

Jerry was a unique individual, with compassion for others, a heart for the Reno community, a servant-leader perspective, a keen eye for detail, and a deep belief in the importance of community partnerships. His meticulous stewardship of the Redfield Foundation led to the support and development of many outstanding programs. We are blessed to have known him. He will be greatly missed.

“Jerry’s steadfast dedication to and stewardship of the Nell J. Redfield Foundation has left a lasting imprint on our community,” Catholic Charities of Norten Nevada shared on Twitter. “Our deepest condolences to Jerry’s family and friends.”

The Foundation has played a pivotal role in the northern Nevada community.

Over the years, the foundation says it has granted millions of dollars throughout the community to advance the causes of education, health care, aid to the elderly, the homeless, and to women and children in need. 

Multiple buildings and projects in northern Nevada have been named in honor of Nell J. Redfield.

To learn more about the foundation, you can click on the link: Nell J. Redfield Foundation – Charitable giving in Northern Nevada (nelljredfieldfoundation.org)