Richard Smith

Our wonderful, bright, kind, funny, generous, and humble, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law and friend passed away peacefully in Grand Junction, Colorado on September 13, 2021 at the age of 89.  Richard Thomas Smith was born at home in Preston, Idaho to Wilford Smith and Terese Thomas Smith on July 3, 1932.  He grew up in Preston and graduated from Preston High School, where he played basketball.  He attended the University of Utah where he proudly played bass drum in The Pride of Utah marching band.  He eventually transferred to Utah State University where he met the love of his life, Sydney Nelson in music appreciation class.  Richard and Sydney were married on September 14, 1954 in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple.  Richard graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree.  Richard then joined the Air Force, and he and Sydney moved to Great Falls, Montana and Malmstrom Air Force Base, where Richard rose to the rank of Captain.  Upon leaving Montana and the Air Force, Richard and Sydney moved to Portland, Oregon where Richard attended the University of Oregon Dental School, graduating in 1962.  Richard and Sydney longed to be closer to their families, and in 1963 moved their family to Grand Junction, Colorado where Richard opened his dental practice.  Richard’s first drive up North Avenue found him drawn to the lights of the Lincoln Park baseball field.  This began a lifelong love of baseball in Grand Junction for Richard, Sydney, and their family.  Many summer evenings were spent at Eagles games, and many years of JUCO tournaments found Richard, Sydney and their children living at the ballpark.  Richard became actively involved in JUCO and served on the local NJCAA Baseball Committee.  Richard also enjoyed golf and tennis and was a frequent competitor in local tennis tournaments.  He retired from his career in dentistry in 1996 after 33 years in his dental practice.  He loved the Lakeside community where he lived and began his second career as the manager of the Lakeside Homeowners Association.  He was later elected to their Board of Directors.  Throughout his life, Richard yearned for the places he loved:  the Pacific Northwest, Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, his home state of Idaho, the red rocks of Utah and Monument Valley, deserts of Arizona, and the mountains of Colorado.  He shared his love of these places with his family on road trips and frequent Sunday drives, and instilled in his children and grandchildren a sense of wonder in the world around us.  Richard’s love of music was lifelong, and this too he shared with his family.  He was a quiet, humble man who never sought attention or credit for his frequent acts of generosity or service to others.  Richard was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in numerous church positions throughout his life.  He will be greatly missed and always remembered by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends who have treasured their time with him.  We want to thank him for the life lessons he has taught us.  His spirit will always be part of us and we thank him for his influence which has made us strong, capable, loving people.  He is an excellent example of the positive power and influence one good man can have in the lives of so many.

Our family would like to thank our brother Steve for the tender loving care and companionship he gave to our dad, especially in the last ten years.  Your generous spirit, hard work, and commitment to Dad’s health and happiness allowed Dad to wake up in his own bedroom every day, enjoy many of the experiences he loved the most, and the gift of your company until his very final days.  We are humbled by your generous spirit and the boundless love you gave to Dad.  His life was so much richer because of you.

We would also like to thank Hope West Hospice for the TLC and kindness you gave to Richard and our family in Richard’s final days.  We are forever grateful.

In 2011 Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Sydney.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, brother and his six sisters.  Richard is survived by his daughters, Suzanne Hafey, and Lynne Shumway (Casey); sons Jeff Smith (Mandy), Steve Smith, Alan Smith (Hannah Shields), Craig Smith (Holly); 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Out of a commitment to the safety of others during this time of Covid, Richard’s family has chosen to have a small family service.  We are hoping that Spring will bring greater safety, and the opportunity for a larger gathering and celebration of Richard’s life.  Richard will join Sydney at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, where he will be buried with full military honors.