“Gosh it was only yesterday that my friend visited us in Salisbury/Harare from England and wanting to impress her I drove up to the Smiths’ house and knocked at the door. Janet answered and asked us in and when Ian arrived home my friend almost choked on her apple pie! They made us so welcome and even let us take photographs which, alas, I do not have copies of any more. Our afternoon tea turned into dinner too and Ian promised to look up my friend in London if he was ever in the country. Unfortunately, it never happened, and my dear friend passed away three years ago, but she retold the story of her visit to all who would listen and was one of Mr. Smith’s strongest U.K. supporters. She wrote many a letter to the Times telling all and sundry what a lovely man he was and how he really cared for his countrymen and women — no matter their colour. Rest in peace, Mr. Smith, you fought the good fight and deserve to be remembered.” — Stephanie Murphy

“When I was little, my dad ran State House in Bulawayo and we lived in a lovely cottage in the grounds. Whenever Ian Smith was visiting my dad would let me go over to say hello and he would sit me on his lap in the lounge called the Blue Room and read me stories. I still remember my dad on a mad hunt for his precious ‘Parker Pen’. Turned out I had wrapped it in toilet paper and gave it to Mr. Smith as a present. I was only about five years old, so of course I was forgiven and Mr. Smith got to keep the pen. He was an amazing man and will be mourned by anyone who knew him or wished they had. May he rest in peace.” — Lynda Taylan

“R.I.P. - and thank you for always making the time to speak to my dad at various cattle sales. It meant so much to him.” — Elizabeth Thomas

“What a legend. During the talks on HMS Tiger & HMS Fearless in Gibraltar, Harold Wilson tried to humiliate and degrade Ian Smith, by billeting him with the ‘lowest form of life’ onboard ship: the seamen. As the Senior Petty Officer said to Ian Smith in their wardroom when making a toast to him before dinner one night, ‘There are 265 officers and crew onboard ship - including you, sir, 264 support you, sir.‘ That sums up the man. Africa is poorer without you. Rest In peace ‘Uncle Ian’.” — George Parkes

“It was because of Ian Smith that guys like me joined the army, we were proud to fight and die for him and given the chance would do it again without thinking. One of my proudest moments was meeting Ian Smith whilst serving in Rhodesian Light Infantry. We will never forget the man.” — ‘gombie’

“As a child I met Ian and Janet a few times, and they both made a great impression on me. My parents and I spent time with them during a visit to Portugal and I remember what a gentleman Ian Smith was. I won’t forget his kindness to my mother and I when my Dad died so many years ago. May he rest in peace.” — Tracy Chittenden (née Burt)

“I met him personally at New Sarum many years later and then in more recent years enjoyed chats with him at the RAFA in Harare. He always remembered me. He was the most honourable politician in modern history and I was proud to serve in his armed forces. … We will never forget him.” — Dave MacKay

“In the mid-1990s I came across Mr. Smith in the Newlands Bookstore and had a short chat with him. Upon leaving he was recognised and the whole square filled with people cheering him. There were a few whites, but over a hundred black folk were leading this genuine, impromptu display of affection and appreciation. Businessmen and shop workers left the buildings and banks, joining the garage attendants, waiters, policemen, and others. Business stopped as people came together to join the excitement. Mr. Smith waved, thanked everyone and humbly walked around to his car. Even at that time in Zimbabwe, he was able to inspire hope and respect from all there; as well as a sense of loss. These are the kinds of memories and feelings we will keep in his memory. He will always inspire the best in us.” — ‘DanaDonn’

“A Prime Minister who was so down to earth that he stopped, saluted, and then spoke to my little boy, who was waiting at the airfield in Gwelo with his father one day many years ago. … That little boy is now 38 and, though only about four years old at the time, recalls that day with great pride and remembers that the Hon. Ian Douglas Smith, Prime Minister of Rhodesia, had saluted him as he was wearing a little jacket with his father’s old rank stripes sewn on the sleeve.” — Margaret Roberts

“I had the honor to meet with Ian and Janet Smith at their home in Harare and here in the United States. Janet walked my legs off in Washington D.C.! She was such an exuberant woman and so vivacious. I loved her immediately and have great memories of her. I remember having to show her how to order Room Service while Mr. Smith sat chuckling in the next room.

“Their humor was quite unexpected and totally captivating. When I first arrived at their home in Harare, they both made a great big deal about me having my first African meal and how they had made it so special for me. I had visions of crocodile, or elephant on a splendid tray… After we were seated at the table, a large covered tray was brought in and I braced myself to exclaim with delight at whatever it may be. With a flourish, Mr. Smith whipped off the cover and low and behold there was… a pizza!

“Such humble, real, absolutely great people. Mr. Smith actually taught me how to brew tea ‘the proper way’ when he visited us. I am so blessed and honored to have spent time with them.” — ‘cathi575′

“My family and I had the privilege of having lunch with Ian Smith. What a man: every word he spoke, you could tell he was a man of serious consequence and a natural leader. … I will never forget the day. R.I.P. Sir.” — Daniel Russell

“Ndimi mukuruwemauto. Ndimi mutungamire wedu waiva ne moyo mukuru, pfungwa dzaishamisa chose, ne njere kutonga vanhu venyika nerudo rakakosha. // You are a supreme warrior. You are our leader who had a big heart, amazing insight, and wisdom to lead the people of the country with loving compassion” — Bud Jackson

“A man who was tough but fair. He will be missed by many people around the world, but mostly by a huge number of people in Zimbabwe. Remembered with love and respect. R.I.P.” — Penny Campbell-Myhill

“I never actually met Ian Smith but I feel like he was a father to all of us in some way, thats the way he made every one feel. He was a good man and he will be missed by all. I write this with a lump in my throat cause I miss home. May you rest in peace, father of our nation.” — Dean Evans

“I had the opportunity to meet Smith when I represented Australia as part of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Zimbabwean elections in 2000. I found his address in Harare, caught a taxi and found the gate wide open. He came to the door himself, made some tea and we chatted for an hour about his life and his leadership of the Rhodesian Front (where clearly some elements were much more reactionary than he was), his dealings with British prime minister Harold Wilson, and his relationship with Mugabe which, early on, had been unexpectedly productive.

“When I shook his hand, I felt I had touched the hand of history _ a modest, intelligent man, a farmer, a reluctant politician, a shot-down World War II fighter pilot, and a person who had done his duty and left his little country in marvelous shape.

“I caution against being harsh on Ian Smith. I feel privileged to have met him, and my view was backed by the respect given him by many black Africans. That is why his safety was secure while all around him, Mugabe and his cronies trashed a country.” — Australian Senator Sandy Macdonald

“Hamba Kuhle Baba, I never knew you, I don’t agree with all that you did, but you have helped shape me, and who I am, and, like any Ndebele, I admire a person who stands for what they believe in, even if it is to the ire of others. Rest in Peace, I only wish I could have met you.” — P.J. Mitchell

“Rest In Peace, Mr. Smith. And please pray for your country from up there. It still needs you…” — Matt Du Sart