A native of Evanston, IL, Heber Smith moved to the Bay Area as a teenager, graduating from Berkeley High School before enrolling at the University of California. World War 2 would interrupt his education.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in San Francisco and was called to active duty in April 1943, eventually flying 35 combat missions as a B-17 bombardier. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster.
After returning to UC Berkeley to complete a degree in Business Administration, Smith joined the Oakland Tribune, working in the promotions department. A shift into radio advertising sales led to more than 25 years in Bay Area radio.
Smith played a significant role in the success of two well-known Bay Area radio stations: KABL and KNBR. He was general manager of both stations.
As an executive, Smith was no “shrinking violet”. He was known as the “Reptile Referee” at KABL, presiding over the station’s popular St. Patrick’s Day Snake Race, a charitable event that drew large crowds and plenty of media attention. Additionally, while at KNBR he brought the “Good Times Parade” to the City of Pleasanton. Thousands of people showed up to let the good times roll.
Heber Smith passed away in 2017 at the age of 92.