Dave Smith, AANR leader and nudist advocate, passes away at 72
A dedicated advocate for naturism who led with kindness and warmth
Dave Smith, an icon in the nudist community, passed away on February 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones. Despite his diagnosis, Dave never gave up hope, always maintaining a positive outlook. Even in his final months, he remained optimistic, often saying, “You never know what is in store or what will happen.”
That same philosophy guided Dave throughout his life. Known for his ever-present smile and warm demeanor, he had a gift for making people feel welcome. He was the first to say, “Hello! How are you?” and always made time for those around him.
A life of love, community, and adventure
Dave’s love story with his wife, Kathy Fender, was just as extraordinary as the man himself. As the incoming president of Kaniksu Ranch, Dave proposed to the outgoing president, Kathy. Her response was immediate and heartfelt: “I’d love to!” Together, they ran the hugely successful Bare Buns Fun Run at Kaniksu Ranch for many years, contributing tirelessly to their beloved home club.
Even while battling his own health challenges, Dave never wavered in his devotion to Kathy. His love and dedication to her were evident to all who knew them. Just one day before his passing, on February 12, 2025, he posted on social media: “Happy Valentine’s today and birthday tomorrow! Love more than yesterday, less than tomorrow.”
His generosity extended beyond his family to the broader community. He encouraged Kaniksu Ranch’s Activities Coordinator to organize holiday gift drives, ensuring that displaced children and families in shelters had presents to open on Christmas morning. Thanks to these efforts, countless children who otherwise would have gone without were able to experience the joy of the season.
At Kaniksu, Dave was a familiar figure—especially after dark, when he would walk the dogs with his signature headlamp bobbing in the night.
For as long as they physically could, Dave and Kathy traveled in their RV with their beloved dogs, making the journey to AANR events so they could participate and support the organization they loved. Any RVer knows the effort and preparation it takes to hit the road, and that they continued to do so despite their declining health was a true testament to their unwavering dedication to AANR and the Northwest members. Their travels reflected not only their love for the naturist community but also their commitment to strengthening the bonds within it.
A lifelong dedication to naturism
Dave was a lifelong nudist and a passionate advocate for body freedom. He never hesitated to share the joys and benefits of nudism with anyone willing to listen. His passion for AANR and its members shone through, especially when discussing the work of the Government Affairs Team (GAT). If conversations just happened to be steered in that direction, his smile broadened even further, if that was possible, and could spend hours talking about the good things GAT was accomplishing for nudists and their rights.
Over the years, Dave’s contributions to AANR earned him numerous accolades, including the Alonzo Stevens’ GAT Award, AANR Family of the Year, AANR-NW Man of the Year in both 2013 and 2016, the AANR-NW President’s Meritorious Award, and leadership roles as past AANR-NW vice president and past AANR-NW president. He was always at the forefront of outreach efforts, handing out AANR materials and swag at events such as the World Naked Bike Ride in Portland, Oregon. He firmly believed in educating others about the values of naturism and worked tirelessly to further its acceptance.
Remembering Dave
Dave’s presence will be deeply missed within the nudist community and beyond. The indelible mark Dave left on those who knew him came through in his warmth, unwavering dedication to his friends, family, and the ideals of body freedom, and his sense of humor. As one of his recent social media posts humorously reflected during an AANR meeting at Lake Como, “Crud! Lunch by the lake at Como. And THIS happens! My president's medallion marked me!”
A celebration of his life will be held this summer in Spokane, with another gathering planned at Kaniksu Ranch, where so much of his legacy was built.
Dave Smith leaves behind a legacy of love, advocacy, and community. His impact will be felt for generations to come. 🪐
 | A guest post by
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My heart goes out to Kathy and family. You are on my mind and in my heart during this time. The AANR family was gifted to have had Dave as a member, volunteer and a true nudist.
My condolences to all who are feeling the loss. May we all remember him and carry on his efforts to celebrate his life.