Nathan Dirk Smiler

Dirk Smiler was the Toastmaster. The Gourmand. The Poet. The Goth King. He spent his evenings as a sommelier in Potomac but his nights as a voracious, constant presence on the D.C. club scene -- dancing, drinking, chasing women and hosting countless after-parties after last call.

Is this how we remember him? YES!

Dirk loves to throw a party and boy did he know how. Countless people have recounted stories, before and after his death of how Dirk helped them to discover themselves. He was a true through and through hedonist.

There is a group that was made on facebook called What Dirk Did To Change My LifeAnyone who really knew him, has one of those stories. He was like that. He made an impression and an impact on everyone he was surrounded by. I have my own stories, several. He really did help me come out of my shell. When I met him I was a shy, southern 17 year old, very sheltered. At first, he scared me! hah! Imagine that :-) Once I got to know him, I warmed up. a lot. He showed me it was ok to be who I was and LOVE it. He was there for me through a horrible marriage I was in, giving me advice and strength to do what was best for me and the baby I was about to have at the time. He was always just a phone call away. There were several nights I cried, and he stayed up with me, rubbing my belly, telling it stories. Making me feel good. All in all, that is what Dirk did... He made people feel good.


He is deeply mourned and sorely missed. I will always love him and he will always have a place in my heart, as will his daughter, Callan who I got to know. I look forward to seeing her tell stories one day....

Please check out Rip Dirk