MacKenzie Smith

June 25, 1929 – March 31, 2026

Mackenzie Smith

Dr. Mac Smith passed away peacefully at the age of 96. Mac was born in Seattle and grew up on Queen Anne Hill. After graduating from Queen Anne High in 1947, he entered the University of Washing-ton where he joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, managed the men's crew team, and studied medicine. He married his wife, Carolyn, during Christmas break and, after graduating in 1955, set off to an internship in Baltimore, MD, a pediatric residency in Cincinnati, OH and then to Mare Island, CA where he served his country as a Lieutenant in the Navy. Following an honorable discharge, Mac and his growing family returned to his beloved Pacific Northwest, settling on Mercer Island, WA.

He set up a private pediatric practice next to Overlake Hospital in nearby Bellevue and, for over 30 years, cared for multiple generations of families while also making house calls as the neighborhood doctor. Mac served as President, Advisor and Trustee of King County Medical Blue Shield, chaired the Pediatric Review Committee at Overlake Hospital, and worked as a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Following retirement, he was appointed Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics.

Mac loved the Pacific Northwest for all its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. He was an avid backpacker, a skilled fisherman, and a very early member of REI. Weekends and vacations were spent with family and friends hiking / camping at remote alpine lakes, eating pan-fried trout and Jiffy Pop around a campfire, or standing on the banks of the Snoqualmie River reeling in a steelhead. He was the hike chairman for his sons' Boy Scout troops, instilling in many young men a lifelong love of nature. He was also an accomplished photographer, winning several contests with his ability to capture the moment.

Upon retirement, Mac combined his pediatric skills with his love of the outdoors by volunteering at Stanley Stamm's summer camp for children with chronic medical conditions, giving these children the chance to experience the hiking, fishing and camping he loved. He also volunteered at Hopelink, helping our local community.

Of Scottish descent, Mac was fiercely independent and when asked for his secret to longevity would attribute it to exercise and modern medicine. As he faced his final health challenges, he did so with grace and quiet strength. Tacked above his desk was a saying he would often repeat: "Old age is a blessing denied to many." Mac was dearly loved and will be missed by all, with the possible exception of the trout in local rivers.

Mac was preceded in death by Carolyn, his beloved wife of nearly 60 years. He is survived by his five children: David, John, Carolyn, Mackenzie and Douglas; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

 A celebration of life will be held at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 10:00am.

We welcome you to share memories, photos, and condolences on the guestbook, located below.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of Seattle, Washington