CRST Founder Dies at 91
CRST founder Herald “Smitty” Smith Jr. passed away on July 27 at his home in Door County, Wis., at the age of 91.
Herald Smith Photo: CRST
Herald SmithPhoto: CRST
CRST founder Herald “Smitty” Smith, Jr. passed away on July 27th at his home in Door County, Wis., at the age of 91.
Smith founded CRST in 1955 when he was 31 years old in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation. The company initially hauled iron and steel articles from Chicago to Cedar Rapids and points within a 50‐mile radius. In 1974, the company changed its name to CRST Inc. to reflect its expansion into dry freight and refrigerated commodities.
Herald Smith was the company’s president until 1977 when he stepped down, remaining as CRST’s chairman of the board. He also served as president of the Iowa Motor Truck Association in 1979 and was chairman of Common Carriers Conference, Irregular Route, in 1981.
Today CRST is an International transportation and logistics company that is still under the control of members of the Smith family.
“He was an icon in the transportation business,” said Dave Rusch, CRST International president and CEO. “He dealt with adversity after the industry was deregulated in 1980. He was a very good man, a born entrepreneur and philanthropist; he will be missed by many.”
Smith is survived by his wife, Miriam, his four children and his grandchildren.
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