Richard A. "Smitty" Smith, Sr.

Richard Arlind Smith was born March 26, 1942 in Poolesville, Maryland. Richard went home to be with the Lord on October 12, 2023. The eldest of nine children, his humble beginnings included growing up without electricity or running water. From a very early age, Richard understood the value of hard work, the importance of helping others and the significance of family and friendships. It was these principles that formed the foundation for how he lived his life.

For Richard, hard work was a way of life and he continued to work until his health declined earlier this year. While he attempted to retire at the age of 70, he did not enjoy retirement so he returned to work and loved that he could set his own schedule. During his many years of working, he was known as a mechanical genius as he could literally fix anything. He could listen to an engine and figure out what was wrong with it. He was known to fix things that no one else could repair including cars, trucks, boats, machinery, lawn mowers, and tractors. Basically, anything that has an engine was Richard’s specialty. In addition, he was a talented blacksmith, welder, fabricator, carpenter, tile layer, landscaper, and builder. He built his own house and helped many others with home repairs. While not formally educated, Richard was highly intelligent. His father-in-law often said that he was the smartest man he ever met. He used his many skills, abilities, and talents to help others. He had a servant’s heart. If there was a person in need, Richard was there, no questions asked. He would do whatever was needed, no matter how long it took or what it required, and he expected nothing in return. Helping others was one of Richard’s love languages, and he demonstrated selflessness and compassion over the many decades of his life. Many people were the recipients of his kindness, even people who did not know him.

For many years Richard worked at B and K Rentals where he not only fixed equipment but also hauled and set up bleachers across the northeast for large public events. This included presidential inaugurations, the Macy’s Day Parade, as well as sporting events. It was during this time that he was given the name “The Old Man in Overalls” by staff working at the White House. Richard’s daily attire generally included overalls, but he was also known for wearing long johns all summer. He swore that the added layers kept him cool.

Richard had many hobbies over the years, and whenever he pursued a hobby, he was fully committed to it. In the 60’s, he was a volunteer fireman. In the 70’s he enjoyed fox hunting while living in Carroll County, and at one time had over 20 foxhounds. He was the president of the Westminster Fox Hunting Association and won many field trials, mostly with his beloved foxhound Carmen. He spent most of the 80’s and 90’s on soccer and baseball fields, coaching his kids’ teams for both Glenn Dale Rec Council as well as the Bowie Boys and Girls Club. His weeks consisted of long, physically hard days at work followed by evening practices on soccer fields, with the weekends devoted to games. He loved all of the kids he coached, and he poured himself into helping every one of them achieve. Ultimately, Richard was known as a great coach and mentor. He loved teaching and taught many kids how to ride a bike and how to drive a car. He was patient and encouraging, and he got his sense of accomplishment from watching others do well. Nothing made him prouder than when one of his kids scored a goal or played a good game. That sense of pride was carried throughout his life as he watched his kids succeed in both their careers and family life. He was proud of each of their accomplishments, and he respected their work in military service, management, firefighting, masonry, construction, mechanical work, plumbing, carpentry, law enforcement, education, and IT. Nothing made Richard happier than seeing his loved ones succeed and find happiness.

Richard also enjoyed being a civil war reenactor, and for over 10 years he was a member of the 2nd Maryland Company A, CSA. He loved doing reenactments and studied many books and publications on the Civil War. He was well liked by his fellow reenactors and their families, and he continued to keep in touch with them after he aged out of the hobby.

Richard was also an avid fisherman, nothing made him happier than spending hours on the water with a fishing rod in hand. He loved to share his passion for fishing with others, and he especially loved fishing trips with his family. He also loved the mountains, lakes, and anything found in nature. He often said when he witnessed nature’s beauty, “look at that……… and they say there ain’t no God”. He spent countless hours watching birds and reading books to identify the type of bird and all the details of the species. He was also known as a snake handler, able to easily relocate a snake when someone came upon one in their home or yard. He would simply pick the snake up by the neck and haul it to the woods to slither away. He regularly fed the wildlife of Zug Road including deer, foxes, raccoons, and possums. His love for animals in the wild extended to an overall love of animals in general. Animals gravitated to him and over the years he had all kinds of animals including a pet chicken. When he was a kid, it ended up being Sunday dinner, much to his unwelcomed surprise. Most notably in recent years, he had great affection for his devoted cat who he called “Gilly Mo”.

Richard was also fondly referred to as the “King of Bowie” and the “Sherriff of Zug Road” because of his concern for conservation and the environment. Taking care of the land where he lived and visited was important. And while he could be very serious about what was significant to him, no one had a better sense of humor or enjoyed making fun of himself more than Richard. He was both mischievous and witty, and he loved to see others having fun. There are many funny stories that people can share about Richard as he just had a magical way of spreading joy.

Richard loved spending time with family, and in recent years never missed an occasion to tell them that he loved them. He enjoyed a very close relationship with his siblings and enjoyed getting together with them on trips, special occasions, or just to visit. His sister Shirley shared that he loved his family unequivocally, and to say that he was both loved and admired is an understatement. He loved watching sporting events with his kids, helping them work on their homes, or assisting in the repair of their vehicles. Just spending time with them made him happy, and being able to contribute to their success was an opportunity he did not take for granted. He was also a great friend and was known to be both loyal and trustworthy. Some friendships he had lasted a lifetime, including the one he shared with Steve Meloy. Steve and Richard talked on a regular basis, and when Richard was healthy enough, he headed to Annapolis to see Steve and often enjoyed eating meals with him at Red, Hot, and Blue. As anyone who knows Richard will attest, if Richard loved you, you knew it. He demonstrated love in many ways including greeting you with a big smile and a warm embrace. He genuinely cared about people and when you talked to him you knew he was listening to every word you said. While his warmth filled a room, his smile lit it up. He had a talent for making you feel important, because to him, you were.

Richard is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Frani Smith. His children Ricky (Tricia), Charles (Crystal), Brian (Susie), Billy, Brenda, Jimmy, Lawrence (Charity), Russell (Mia), Tricia, Matthew (Stacey) and Stephen (Ali) Smith. He is also survived by his brother Ronald (Joyce) Smith of Ocala, Florida, and sisters Frances (Gary) Goodin of Lakeview, Arkansas, Shirley Selby of North Cambria, PA and Ella Cooney of Starke, FL. He was predeceased by his parents Lawrence Sr. and Dora Smith, his brothers Charles Wayne and Lawrence Smith Jr. and sisters Nancy Smith and Wilma Bennett. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Finally, and most importantly, Richard was a man of faith. He demonstrated his faith through a life that reflected the two great commandments that Jesus gave us. These are to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind and by loving your neighbor as yourself. Richard’s life was a testament to putting these commandments into action, through the way he loved people, for the way he served others, and through the way he appreciated and was grateful for his blessings. He touched so many lives with his generosity and kindness, and this world will never be the same without him.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at McNamara’s, 7800 Chestnut Avenue, Bowie, MD.

Memorial Gathering will be from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. The service will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Family has requested that all flower orders be sent to:

8308 Zug Road Bowie, MD 20715 by 2 PM on November 11, 2023

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.robertevansfuneralhome.com for the Smith family.