Peter Buchan Smith

Peter Buchan Smith, 88 of Carmel, Indiana peacefully passed to be with the Lord after a brave battle with dementia on January 29, 2026.

Peter was born on July 7, 1937, in Waltham Massachusetts to parents, Margaret Buchan Smith and Irwin Dwight Smith. His parents were blessed to celebrate 66 years of marriage. Peter spent his formative years in Massachusetts graduating from Waltham High School. On the east coast, skating is like walking and Peter excelled at hockey. His love for hockey led him to Tufts University where he enjoyed playing defense for his team throughout college. Peter was also a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity at Tufts.

After completing college, Peter served in the Army for a few years and then moved to Barrington, Illinois where his parents had relocated. He worked in sales for Wallace Integrated Graphics as a regional account manager. It was in the Chicago area that Peter met the love of his life, Gayle Beckway, at a teacher’s party that his friend encouraged him to attend. Their courtship began, enjoying square dancing on ice, Chicago Blackhawks games and theatre productions downtown. They married August 15, 1964, and celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Peter dedicated many years of his life to the Jaycees – an organization focused on leadership, community service and professional networking. It was during this time, Peter decided to start a hockey organization to give kids in the community a place to go after school and learn the game of hockey. He put his sales skills to use and was able to secure donations and sponsorships to purchase equipment and ice time. In time, the Arlington Heights Youth Hockey Association was founded. Peter spent tireless hours volunteering and coaching hockey youth hockey for over 30 years.

Proud of his Scottish heritage, Peter learned to play the bagpipes. He worked diligently mastering his craft and was honored to be able to join the Chicago Highlanders Pipes & Drums. He proudly wore his Highlander kilt and relished marching in parades in the Chicagoland area.

After retirement and a desire to be closer to his grandchildren, Peter moved to Indiana with his wife Gayle. He loved being able to celebrate all the special moments and milestones of his children and grandchildren’s lives. The memories created will be cherished forever by his family. Peter also had a love for the outdoors and became a master gardener. He volunteered at Connor Prairie for years tending to their beautiful gardens. He also volunteered at Clowes Hall at Butler University. Peter’s enjoyment of music continued throughout his life playing the flute, piccolo, bagpipes and singing in choir. One of his family’s favorite memories was watching him sing in the choir at Christmas. His soft, kind smile will be missed.

Peter is preceded in death by his beloved wife Gayle Beckway Smith and his parents Margaret Buchan Smith and Irwin Dwight Smith and brother David Smith. He is survived by children Kristi Smith Petruzzi (David Petruzzi) and William Buchan Smith (Amber Ripp Smith) and six grandchildren (Michael, Nick, Grayce, John, Alex and Brandon).

A private service for Peter will take place at a later date.