George Augustus Smythe, highly revered and beloved, was born and raised in Colón, Panama, on March 30, 1931. He passed away peacefully on August 5, 2023 in his adopted home of Chicago, IL where he lived and thrived. George lived a life that was as dynamic and vibrant as the communities and music he chose to surround himself with. May he rest in power.

His early life in Panama was marked by poverty and injustice. He observed and identified the consequences of these obstacles at a young age. He was motivated to becoming educated; George taught himself how to read a newspaper at the age of 3 years old. He later wrote for his high school newspaper, and elevated the level of reporting to include analyses of the socio-political environment of his hometown and his country. At this early age, he was committed to the development of an informed public who could rise up and uproot the oppressive structures in Panama. This work led to his involvement in a revolution in Panama at the age of 19, where he sustained a bullet scar just above his left ear from the opposing military gunmen. The fight was victorious, and resulted in the election of Jose Antonio Remón Cantera. Cantera's eventual assassination in 1955 encouraged George to think more strategically about achieving change, and helped shaped him into a man of resilience, courage, and conviction.

His strong work ethic and studious nature led to his acceptance to a number of Ivy League and Big Ten universities. He chose to attend Northwestern University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters in Business Administration; a Masters in Economics; and a Masters in Philosophy. He studied a wide range of topics, including anthropology, sociology, history, and finance. George tapped into his natural entrepreneurship, and started his own succesful business importing and distributing liquors during the Civil Rights Movement. George's commitment to fighting anti-black oppression informed his business strategy, which provided local black business owners the resources they needed to succeed and thrive. This successful and growing venture met its demise overnight during the Holy Week Uprising in response to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination; but George adapted— being flexible and resilient, he moved on to alternative forms of fighting the good fight: financial literacy and self-reliance.

George embarked on a distinguished career at Merrill Lynch, where he served as Vice President for many years. Upon discovering racially discriminatory practices that negatively affected clients of color, and a company culture lacking in business ethics that laid the ground work for corrupt, short-sighted financial strategies, he exited the firm. His clients followed and he started his own investment advisement corporation. His colleagues and clients respected him for his intelligence and thorough analysis, and he was renowned for his ability to navigate and analyze complex business issues with strategical foresight.

In addition to his professional achievements, George was a man who valued his personal life. He was a loving, protective and supportive father to his two daughters; a caring and encouraging brother to his siblings; and a fiercely loyal and loving son to his Mother, Ester, who passed away at 102 years old. He was a beacon of support, always there to lend a listening ear or share a word of wisdom to those who had the privilege of being in his presence. His sparkling sense of humor was infectious, often lighting up the room with his wit and charm. His laugh could be heard across the world and brought a warmth and joy that could lighten the darkest room. When George spoke, the world listened; when he laughed, the world joined in. He was an intellectual with deep compassion; pragmatic, but empathetic; stern, but never cruel. He loved earnestly, and valued life because, as he used to remind us on bad days, "this, too, shall pass".

George's interests were as diverse as his talents. He had a passion for music and dancing, often the first one on the dance floor at any gathering. He had a love for travel, whether that be a trip to Rio for Carnivale, or a drive through Wilmette to view the autumn leaves. His curiosity led him to many corners of the world, enriching his life with diverse experiences and memories. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, often engaging in deep, intellectual conversations that would last into the wee hours of the morning. He was an avid reader, equally of academic research and literature. He loved keeping an eye on scientific advancements (especially in quantum physics and technology), and waxing poetic on how those advancements fit into the context of human evolution. As he was blessed with the knowledge of the histories of his ancestors, thus he never lost sight of what it meant to shoot beyond the stars in our skies. As he noted, "if you don't know where you come from, you don't know where you are; if you don't know where you are, you don't know where you're going; and if you don't know where you're going, you'll never get there".

At his core, George's upbringing imprinted a deep compassion for those who are suffering. His life and career choices were motivated by his desire to contribute to eliminating oppression through intellectual empowerment. "The mind is a terrible thing to waste, and it is the one thing no one can take from you". He encouraged and supported the education of many, and was a strong advocate for social justice. George's life was a testament to the power of perseverance; the value of an education; the importance of family; and knowing when to laugh, because life can be (unpredictably) absurd. He felt that to stress over the small things would rob you of the glorious joy life's opportunities have to offer. George being who he was, in conversations about death, would cite the law of conservation of energy in physics and chemistry, which notes that energy is neither created nor destroyed; it is merely transformed or transferred. Thus, his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who loved him, and his energy will never die, for it lives within and amongst us.

George Augustus Smythe is preceded in death by his Mother, Ester; his brother James; his sister Rebecca; and his brother Eustacio. He is survived by his two daughters, Natalie and Noelle; his brother Romando; his nieces and nephews; and his international community of loving and loyal friends. In remembering George, we celebrate a life well-lived, a life that was filled with laughter, love, and learning. He was a man of great intelligence, thoughtfulness, and humor—qualities that endeared him to all who knew him. His legacy will continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of living life to its fullest by embracing every moment with focus, compassion, sincerity, knowledge, and joy. His memory will forever be a beacon of light, guiding us through our own life's journey.