Henry Dale Smith, Sr.

Henry Dale Smith Sr., 87, of Springfield died peacefully Saturday morning, September 19, 2015, among family at home. He was born August 1, 1928 to James Matthew and Ethel Rickbiel Smith in Asheville, North Carolina. He married Betty Mood on June 28, 1950 in Columbia, South Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Beverly Smith Moss; and brother, James Matthew Smith, Jr.

Henry Dale is survived by his wife, Betty of Springfield; four sons, Henry Dale (Deborah Klang) Smith, Jr. of Springfield, Rogers Mood (Mary Summers) Smith of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, J. Christopher (Debra Nickelson) Smith of Springfield, and Andrew (Joyce) Smith of Springfield; grandchildren, Virginia (Dan Upham) Sole-Smith, Chandler (Eric Taxier) Klang Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Caroline Summers Smith, Lacy Smith, Callandria Nickelson Smith, Rogers Reed Summers Smith, and Spencer Nickelson Smith; a great-granddaughter, Violet Upham-Smith, and several nieces and nephews.

Beginning his education at The Citadel in June of 1944, he started just weeks after his high school graduation. World War II dominated life then and because South Carolina schools ended with the 11th grade and Smith had skipped one year, he was only 15 and too young for military service. So he chose the next best thing a military school. Henry Dale earned a bachelors degree in chemistry from The Citadel and then a bachelors degree in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Young family in tow, Henry Dale relocated to Springfield, Illinois, where he would become a community leader and pioneer in pharmaceutical distribution. He founded H. D. Smith Wholesale Drug Co. in January 1954. Like all entrepreneurs, Smith saw opportunity disguised as hard work. He focused on customer service and accuracy to capture the business of area drug stores. Growing the company from four associates in the Springfield area to 1,100 nationwide, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of H. D. Smith, and most recently, served as its chairman emeritus. H. D. Smith is now the fourth-largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the nation. Additionally, he served as Vice President of Smith Drug in Spartanburg, SC, and subsequently as chairman and CEO of J.M. Smith Corporation upon the death of his brother, James M. Smith, Jr. Henry Dale served in that capacity for 13 years. He then continued his service as a director of the company, retiring from the board as its longest serving member.

For decades, he served as an active member of the National Wholesale Druggists Association NWDA. He received the Healthcare Distribution Management Associations Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2003 for his contributions to the industry, his business acumen and his uncompromising integrity qualities that also earned him induction into The Citadel School of Business Hall of Fame in 2011.

Henry Dale was active in the Springfield community as a volunteer and philanthropist, and an avid University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign supporter. The Betty Mood Smith Rockery rock garden, located in Springfields Washington Park, was a gift to his wife, celebrating her love of gardening. He was a Rotary Club member for more than 40 years. He also served as a deacon, elder and trustee at Westminster Presbyterian Church during his 60 years of membership. In his spare time, he loved to root for his favorite sports teams; as a huge Fighting Illini sports fan, as well as a fan of the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Bears.

Visitation: The family welcomes friends to join his visitation from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave W, Springfield.

Funeral Ceremony: The funeral will take place at 11 a.m., Friday, September 25, 2015 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield with Rev. Dr. Blythe Kieffer officiating.

Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following ceremonies. Private family inurnment will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Smiths honor can be made at several organizations that were near and dear to Mr. Smith and the Smith family: H.D. Smith Foundation, 3063 Fiat Avenue, Springfield, IL, 62703; Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street, Springfield, IL, 62704; or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Athletics I FUND, 1700 South Fourth Street, Champaign, IL, 61820 or online at www.iamtheifund.com