UNM grad remembered as 'open to the world'

UNM students remember John Smeltzer for his humor, quality of character and friendship.

Smeltzer graduated with a bachelor's in political science, French, Spanish and European studies in May. He died in June, reportedly from a heart attack.

According to UNM's Office of International Programs and Studies, a memorial service is not yet scheduled.

Those who knew him say he was not just a student but a friend, coworker and leader who will be missed by the UNM community.

Smeltzer was a talented student who prided himself on his ability to multi-task and his true Lobo spirit, said Brian Moore, a longtime friend.

"He was extraordinary," he said. "He was the busiest guy I had ever been around, always doing extracurricular activities around campus."

Moore, who served on the Model United Nations team with Smeltzer, said it was always a challenge going out with someone like Smeltzer because he was so popular.

"We would try to go out to a bar or restaurant and by the time we were ready to leave it would take another 30 minutes of saying goodbye to all his friends," Moore said.

As a student, Smeltzer was beloved by his professors for his hard work and determination.

In April, Smeltzer received the Clauve Outstanding Senior Award, which honors the finest students in leadership, academics and citizenship at UNM.

Smeltzer left his mark in more areas than just the classroom, as he worked hard with the Office of International Programs and Studies.

Lorena Sanchez, a native of Chile now in her junior year at UNM, said Smeltzer was a great friend who was always interested in learning more about foreign cultures. He welcomed her as well as other international students.

"He was open to the world and the changes that people offered and because of that he will be greatly missed," Sanchez said. "I do not know about his majors or his clubs, but I do know his character - he was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He was so funny and always encouraging."

Ken Carpenter, associate director of international programs, said Smeltzer's presence was always felt in the workplace.

"He was an exceptional student that a lot of people admired," Carpenter said. "He was a great worker, and his loss has been pretty hard on the staff."

A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Smeltzer worked hard on everything he did, including his friendships.

Moore said Smeltzer often used humor to entertain his friends.

"I can remember one time, while we were in Amsterdam

after attending a trip to Geneva, we went to go see the Rijksmuseum, and the group of girls that we were with went up ahead of us and John ran up and scared them," Moore said. "Maybe it seems small, but it was those little things that kept everyone laughing and enjoying his presence."

A sense of disbelief continues for a lot of UNM students after hearing of Smeltzer's death.

"It's hard to know, to even think, that such a good person passed away," Sanchez said. "My friends and I looked up to him. His death is a big loss for us all."

Moore said it is especially hard to accept Smeltzer's death considering how bright his future was.

"He had just been accepted to the Geneva Institute of International Development Studies," Moore said. "He was really excited because it was the same institute that Kofi Annan, seventh U.N. Secretary-General, had attended."

Sanchez said Smeltzer's work would have had an even farther-reaching impact.

"He gave me hope for the world through putting himself out there for everyone around him," Sanchez said. "What is hard to see, but it is there, is the spark that he had. The spark that he had in him, he spread to all the people he touched through his life. He isn't just leaving UNM friends, but this was a guy that knew people all over the world and that spark will continue on in all of us."