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Neal T. Smith

Madison, WI

May 20, 1949 - October 23, 2025

May 20, 1949 - Oct 23, 2025

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Neal T. Smith

May 20, 1949 –October 23, 2025

Neal T. Smith, aged 76, passed away on October 23 from Parkinson’s Disease at Agrace Hospicecare in Madison. He was the son of Evy (Krinke) and Archie Smith. He married Diane Avery on February 12, 1971. He worked for Holy Wisdom Monastery from 1986 until his retirement in 2011, and considered the green building reconstruction and restoration of the native prairie one of his greatest achievements.

Following his graduation from Premontre High School in Green Bay, Neal attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison before being sent to Vietnam in the US Army, serving from 1969-1970 with the 4/12 Cav. Upon his return, he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting degree at the UW in 1973. It was at the UW where he met his wife, Diane.

After graduation, Neal worked for both Hallmark Homes and the Munz Corporation in Madison before joining the staff at Holy Wisdom Monastery where he would spend the next 25 years, first as its Chief Financial Officer and then as its Executive Director. Neal loved Holy Wisdom, and was a member of its Sunday Assembly as well as its staff. While at Holy Wisdom, Neal worked closely with the Benedictine Women of Madison on their mission to restore their 130 acres back into native Wisconsin prairie and convert the buildings on the property into LEED Platinum structures designed in harmony with nature.

Neal is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane, and his daughter, Kristin, as well as his younger siblings, Jim Smith and Kay Smith.

Neal will be honored with a Celebration of Life service at Holy Wisdom Monastery on November 14, 2025 at 1pm in the afternoon, to be followed by a sharing of memories and invitation to walk the grounds of Holy Wisdom to which he dedicated so many years of his life.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Holy Wisdom Monastery (https://holywisdommonastery.o…) or Agrace Hospice Care (https://www.agrace.org/donate/) or plant a tree in his honor.