Warren Andrew Smith

Andy will best be remembered for his humble demeanor, adventurous spirit, sportsmanship and work ethic. He passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023 from a traumatic brain injury, which he sustained three years ago.

Andy was born on October 30, 1941 to Phoebe, a housewife and Jack Martin Smith, a well respected Oscar-winning art director in Hollywood. Andy and his sister were raised in Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood, California. By his own description, Andy had an idyllic Tom Saweresque childhood building Go Carts, raising ducks, creating tunnel forts in the hillside and going on surfing escapades among a myriad of other activities.

Andy graduated from The Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with honors, but his true passion was polo. After serving in the Air Force In New Zealand during the Vietnam War, he moved to Santa Barbara and spent much of his career playing professional polo, having honed his skills in Los Angeles and Santa Ynez. His home base was the Santa Barbara Polo Club, but he traveled widely. One of his most exceptional trips was playing on the ice in San Moritz. In subsequent years, Andy announced polo games at the Club on Sundays. Although reticent by nature, he captivated audiences with his astute understanding of the game, descriptions of the plays, and tales of his polo adventures.

Andy was also a talented self-taught craftsman. He built and refurbished polo saddles and tack for the trade. It was the rare project that he would not undertake and fix to satisfaction. In later years, he built a vibrant business working alongside high end furniture manufacturers building leather chairs for a refined market.

He was an avid outdoorsman and ocean dweller. In his spare time, he surfed, sailed the Caribbean, and participated in long range fishing trips in the Pacific for large tuna . When the sport proved too rigorous, he became a thoroughly engaged fly fisherman.

Andy was a man’s man who built his life with his two hands. Although a man of numerous capabilities, he will be sorely missed for his integrity, humility, and kindness.

He is survived by his wife Paula Ullmann, his son and daughter Christopher Smith and Robyn Younie, his sister Laurie Malley and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Friendship Center in Montecito, California