Former MBA Chairman Marc Smith, CMB, Passes Away

Marc Champney Smith, CMB, former CEO of Crestar Mortgage/SunTrust Mortgage who served as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association from 1998-1999, passed away on Apr. 6 from leukemia. He was 72.

Mr. Smith was born in 1947 in Rochester, N.Y., graduating from The Harley School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Baldwin-Wallace University and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He served in the U.S. Navy, reaching rank of Lieutenant and serving as financial controller of the Adak (Alaska) Naval Air Station.

Mr. Smith served in several executive roles with Crestar Mortgage, which became SunTrust Mortgage; in 1990 he became CEO of SunTrust Mortgage and held that position until his retirement in 1999.

During this period Mr. Smith became active with MBA, serving on numerous committees and boards and as an elected officer from 1995-1998, the final year as Chairman.

Following his retirement, Mr. Smith relocated to Steamboat Springs, Colo., where he worked with several nonprofits and as a volunteer teacher and coach in several school, ministry and sports organizations.

Mr. Smith is survived by Bonnie, his wife of 37 years; his children, Carter (Anne), Vivion Smith Sloan (Nate), Erica and Grant; his seven grandchildren, Champney, Alexander, Blake, Genevieve, Naomi, Mariah and Zachary; his siblings, Eric (Nancy), Lisa Smith Adams, Melanie Smith Shelton and Paul (Kim); as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.

A private burial took place last month in Melbourne, Fla.