Smith Family - Ourfolk

Andy had just graduated from West Ottawa High School and was planning to attend Grand Rapids Community College. He and Tim Dewitt, a fellow classmate and football buddy, spent the night at the Bay Haven Marina on the family sailboat Dutch Chocolate. He was electrocuted while swimming in the water near the boat.

A power boat in the adjacent slip was connected to the 110 volt shore power and had developed a short in an 110 volt electrical light fixture. The current was emitting out into the surrounding water and grounding out to a steel pipe at the end of the dock. Andy was seen swimming to this post and when he grabbed onto it he sank below the surface. Another boater saw him go down and dove into the water to try and help him but when he was in the water he could feel the current and was paralyzed as well and had to be pulled out by yet another boater.

At the time it was not known where the source of the electrical current was coming from and rescue workers would not go into the water until the main power source was disconnected. This took far too much time and five hours later Andy's body was recovered.

In his memory a scholarship fund was established in 1989 through the First United Methodist Church of Holland, Michigan to award annually three scholarships to a graduating student from West Ottawa High School, Holland, High School, and a graduate member of First United Methodist Church. Administering this scholarship is the senior pastor, educational director, chairman of finance committee, church member involved in education, and a Smith Family representative. The committee is to accept or reject the proposed candidates from the respective schools, increase or decrease the amount of the award as may be required, and if at such time the fund should be dissolved determine where should be dispersed.

$500 awarded to a senior with at least a 2.5, interested in higher education and who exemplifies the qualities of dependability, modesty, genuine concern for others, hard work, ability to lead and to follow, and demonstrates Christian ideals in daily living. Financial need a factor but not a requirement.
(List of Known Scholarships - Holland High School - Counseling Department)