Memorial
Harold “Hal” Friedrich Heideman Smith, 69, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Hal was born in Manchester, Iowa and grew up in Coggon, Iowa. His family later moved to Manchester for a brief time where he graduated from West Delaware High School in 1974. He spent the majority of his career with S.J. Smith Welding Supply, where he eventually retired.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Jo Ann Smith; his brother, Mark Smith; his sister, Mary Smith; and his grandparents, Dr. Harold and Mary Heideman, and Ralph and Pearl Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory include his life partner, LaDona Gates; his children, Logan Smith (Sandra), Denise Emig (Scott), Robby Gates (Tara), and Tina Gates (Michael); five grandchildren, Bryan, Travis, Brandon, Morgan, and Mason; one great-grandson, Koe; his kid brother, Tim Smith (Deb); and his nieces, Alyssa Seeman (Joe and their son, Bodhi) and Amelia Smith (Claire), as well as his two kitties, Lily and Lotus.
Hal will be remembered most for the man he was. He was gentle, kind, and endlessly giving, always willing to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. Though soft-spoken by nature, he was quietly protective of the people he loved and could always be counted on when they needed him most. He had a wonderful sense of humor, bringing smiles to those around him with his quick wit and easygoing personality. His steady presence, warm heart, and unwavering love for his family will be deeply missed.
Outside of work, Hal enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He was a lifelong Los Angeles Rams fan, a devoted Iowa Hawkeyes supporter, and loved hunting, fishing, demolition derbies, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
In keeping with Hal’s personality, family and friends are encouraged to attend the service in casual attire, including jeans, T-shirts, and Hawkeye or Harley-Davidson apparel, in honor of his lifelong love of the Hawks, motorcycles, and his well-known dislike of dressing up.
Hal’s legacy of generosity, compassion, humor, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.