Emiel Karel Emma Smet, 90, of Amissville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Poet’s Walk Memory Care Community in Warrenton, Virginia. He was born December 22, 1932 in Stekene, Belgium to the late Petrus Josef and Coleta Adrienne Smet.
Emiel’s childhood was filled with tragic family disruptions during WWII. He inherited his tenacity from his parents as his mother struggled to keep him and his five siblings together in 23 moves during the war while his father worked in the Underground to assist shot-down Allied pilots in covertly returning to England. His father was captured and spent time away from his family in a German prison. His family was trapped in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge, and as a young teen, he witnessed his best friend become a war casualty.
Following the war, the family made Antwerp, Belgium their home, and following his military service, Emiel continued his education at the University of Ghent where he received the equivalent of a Master’s degree in civil engineering. He and his first wife, Maria, were married in May 1955 and came to the United States seeking employment in 1961. After a variety of jobs including farm hand, construction worker, and builder, Emiel was finally able to put his engineering degree to good use when hired by Mr. George DeFranceaux to design and build a large addition to their home. Mr. DeFranceaux became Emiel’s mentor in real estate investing and opened the door to his long-time love for real estate and a position as Property Manager for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in Bethesda, Maryland. Emiel held the position at FASEB until his early retirement in 1981. In the interim, Emiel and Maria became U.S. citizens on May 10, 1968. Maria died in August 1971 as a result of injuries sustained in a natural gas explosion at their home in Bethesda. Emiel was severely burned in the fire but survived after an extended hospital stay. Emiel and his second wife, Lynda, met at a professional meeting in 1973 and were married June 26, 1976. They moved to his beloved farm in 1981 when he designed and built their current home. Once their home was completed, he needed something to do and became the first Building Official for Rappahannock County as well as Acting Zoning Administrator for several years. Emiel was actively involved in both the Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Culpeper Exchange Clubs, and served terms as president in both. He was also a past member of the D.C. Professional Grounds Management Society and a past member of VIW, the Belgian Flemish organization
Emiel loved his wife, family, and friends, his many rescue Golden Retrievers (now Molly and Vivie), fresh seafood, and the life that they lived in Rappahannock County Virginia… even their herd of miniature donkeys! He was so proud of his citizenship and the life that they had built, but he still held a place in his heart for his birthplace and traditions. Emiel was a kind and generous friend to everyone. A great problem-solver, and was known for his strong convictions and little fear in voicing them. He enjoyed lending an ear or shoulder, woodworking, traveling, cooking, an occasional cruise, and a good Malbec or Sauvignon wine. He’s known for his grill-smoked salmon, crepes, and carbonnade flammande or Belgian beef stew!
Emiel is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynda Anne Walker Smet of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and sisters-in-law, Julia Smet of Ocean City, Maryland, Anny Dierckx of Kapellen, Belgium, Claudia (J. Kenneth) Grove and Jennifer (Paul) Highnam of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and Nancy (Michael) White of Marysville, Ohio. Included also are his nieces and nephews, Ingrid (Jan) DeSager-Smet, Sandra (Danny) Verlinden-VanOers, Kelli (Chris) Hulse, Gretchen White, and Molly Highnam, John (Yanira) Smet, Wim (Marlies) Thierens, Paul (Christine) Bocklandt, Omer (Lea) Bocklandt, Alexander (Nancy) Van-Oers, Peter (Luc) Smet, Patrick Smet, Danny (Karen) VanOers, Jan Smet, Todd (Lora) Grove, Brendan ( Lauren) White, Sam (Jasmine) Highnam and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Marie-Louise Smet-VanLysebetten, sister-in-law, Greta Thierens-VanLysebetten, and five siblings, Leon Smet, Alphonsine Bocklandt-Smet, Christiaan Smet, Gabriella VanOers-Smet, Maurice Smet, sister-in-law, Lily Smet and brothers-in-law, Robert Bocklandt, Guido VanOers, and Victor Meeuws.
Services will be private with burial in Mount Vernon, Ohio. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. A special thank you to all of the family and friends who have offered love and support over this long journey of Alzheimer’s, and to all of the staff at Poet’s Walk and Heartland Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested for Rappahannock Animal Welfare League in Amissville, VA; Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Amissville, VA; Heartland Hospice in Warrenton, VA; or the Alzheimer’s Research Fund in Clarksville, MD.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
