Dave Smith (Walt Disney Archives Founder, 1940-2019)

[NeoSuperBlissey]

Deadline.com is reporting that Dave Smith, founder and chief archivist emeritus at the Walt Disney Archives, has passed away at the age of 78.

According to the Deadline article, Smith was first hired by Roy O. Disney to catalogue the items in Walt's office (which had not been touched since Walt's death) and that it was Smith's painstaking work that allowed Disney to recreate the office in 2015.

[Chernabog]

Very, very sad to hear. I was in contact with him many, many times during the years. Mostly in the 1990´s and until approx. 2005. He helped me very much with all the questions I had in all my research and learning of Disney Films and their history. He also visited Sweden a few times over the years but I never had the chance to meet him in person here.
Rest in peace Dave.