Roland Smith
1893-1989. Restaurant owner, real estate agent, with wife, Esther (1899-1997), built huge financial resources and bequeathed most, more than $2 million, to local organizations. The Clear Lake native came to Iowa City in 1914 to operate a chain ice cream shop. In 1921, he married his local cashier and office gal, Esther Eggenberg, and they opened their legendary 24-hour Smith’s Cafe, always called Smitty’s, at 11 S. Dubuque St., installing its trademark black front with huge round window in 1937. He closed it for World War II duty overseas, then began a successful real estate career on his return.