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Article: Washington Builder, Philanthropist Charles E. Smith Dies
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- January 1, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Charles E. Smith, 94, a philanthropist and businessman who
founded Charles E. Smith Cos., one of Washington's largest builders,
developers and property managers, died Saturday after suffering a
heart attack in Palm Beach, Fla., where he had a winter home.
Known for wisdom, energy and patient determination, Smith came
to America from Russia as a boy unable to speak English and
surmounted serious fiscal setbacks during the Great Depression and
afterward before going on to build dozens of office buildings and
thousands of apartment units in the Washington area.
A publicly held segment of the companies founded by Smith now
owns or manages more than 20,000 apartment units; the portfolio ...