Obituary of Martin Smith

Martin J. Smith, Psy.D., aged 72, passed away peacefully at his home in Lone Tree, Colorado on November 27th, 2023 after a long battle with colorectal cancer and kidney failure. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. 

Marty earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the field of Psychology in May 1973. While attending CU, Martin was the president of Psi Chi International Honor Society. He cherished his time there and often looked back fondly on those memories. Marty earned his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Bradley University in December 1975 and his Doctorate in Professional/ Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver, School of Professional Psychology in April 1980. 

Dr. Smith became licensed to practice Clinical Psychology in the State of Colorado in December 1982. Dr. Smith treated therapy clients in his private practice for over 40 years, specializing in Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Depression, OCD, and Tinnitus. Marty’s familiar refrain was that “it never felt like work because I was doing something I absolutely loved.” After his cancer diagnosis Marty unfortunately had to discontinue practicing as a psychologist but he all the way up until the end he deeply wanted to help people and feel well enough to continue in his profession. Marty was an unconventional psychologist and he treated his patients with warm regard as if they were his own family member.

Marty loved his friends of which he had many and spoke of often. One of his great accomplishments was forming a weekly gathering of friends on Thursdays. They became the Thursday Lunch Group which he co-founded with one of his favorite friends Michael Zeitlen. The friend group has met nearly every Thursday for the past 40 plus years and counting. Marty was also an avid tennis player and loved all things racquet sports. His magic for fomenting friend groups manifested into a close knit group of tennis buddies from LifeTime Tennis Club who would play USTA tournaments and even won nationals. Martin was known for his lightning fast serve that he playfully referred to as his “rocket serve.”  Marty was a chess enthusiast, and enjoyed games with loved ones in his final days. He will be remembered for his proclivity for humor and finding opportunities to crack a joke.

Martin or “Marty” as he was known to family and friends was preceded in death by his father, Irving Smith, and his mother, Hannah Altman.  He is survived by his loving partner, Pamela J. Hinrichs, his son Aaron Smith and wife Alexis Schwartz, his two sisters Debra Smith, Sheryl Brummett and her husband, Ron, and his nieces Jade, Emerald, and Kayla. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday 11/29, 1pm at Golden Hill Cemetery,12000 West Colfax Ave Lakewood Colorado 80125. A livestream will be available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube channel. Any donations please send to Magen David Adom in Israel and the Jewish Defense Fund.