Richard Ernest Smith (Ernie) passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 13th. Born in 1933 at home in South Pasadena (on the kitchen table - as Dad liked to tell it), he was the third and youngest child of Ben and Louise Smith joining siblings Ben Jr. and Barbara. He grew up knowing the value of a victory garden, and survived polio. He also knew the sadness and uncertainty of saying goodbye when his brother Ben Jr. left to serve in WWII. He loved body surfing and free diving for abalone in Laguna beach. He loved his family and friends with his whole heart. All who knew him will miss his contagious laugh, awesome stories, and witty wordplay.
Always a big presence, Ernie worked his entire adult life for Ben F. Smith Inc., the concrete construction company founded by his father in 1928. Ben F. Smith, Inc. grew to over 300 employees and has locations in El Monte and San Diego, CA. Ernie was an active, important, and integral part of Ben F. Smith throughout his life. His passing marks the last of the founding ‘Smith’ namesake’s involvement in the Corporation. He formed many lifelong friendships and partnerships throughout his career.
Dad was an athlete all his life. His love of athletics and competitive sports first started when he attended Black Foxe Military Academy (Class of 1952). Ernie made many wonderful, lifelong friendships through the competitive sport teams he was a part of, especially during his college days at Claremont Men’s college. Ernie was a three-year track and field letter-winner and a two-year football letter-winner while attending Claremont (CMC ’56). Smith was also a national qualifier in the javelin (1955 and 1956) and shot put (1956) after serving as captain of the Pomona-Claremont Track and Field team. In 1956 he competed in the Olympic Trials in shot put. As a football player, Smith was a part of three SCIAC Championship teams. He was also a member of the first undefeated Pomona-Claremont team in 1955. He was inducted into the CMS Hall of Fame in 1994. He also was an early member of the Southern California Striders, a track and field club established in 1955 which went on to produce numerous national and Olympic Champions. Ernie was involved in the Arcadia Invitational from its inception in 1965 until 2000, he also officiated California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) boys and girls preliminary, finals, masters, and state meets. The urge to compete never left him, so at 71 years old, he began competing again at the Masters track and field throw events. Dad competed for 12 years at the Masters level, winning bronze medals in a national and international meet, before finally retiring from competition in his 80s.
Dad had a fascination with critters, particularly black widow spiders. He knew almost everything about them, and most other necrotic arachnids. He shared a fascination of Great White sharks with Ron, and they traded stories about viewing the great predator from a shark cage. Dad loved his sport fishing trips in Mexico and one of his big catches, a Marlin, hung over the fireplace in his den. One year he took us all on a wonderful salmon fishing trip to British Columbia including a helicopter ride where we ate lunch on a glacier. Ernie’s foreign travels also included Europe, Australia, Fiji, the Galapagos Islands, and two very memorable Safaris in Africa.
Ernie loved movies, and thoroughly enjoyed his home theatre. He was an avid reader. Every Fall Dad would note the change of season by stating, “The frost is on the pumkin!” a line from a favorite poem. He loved Halloween. The year Jaws came out, he carved the jack-o-lantern like a great white shark and hung a Barbie doll over it with a fishing line. Along with supporting his alma mater, Dad was a huge USC football fan! A season ticket holder for many years, there were many fun tailgating parties, and exciting Rose Bowl games attended.
Being the social person he was, Ernie met our Mother, Evelyn Pease, at a party. They married in December of 1960. They had many friends and enjoyed an active social life. For 20 years they made their home in Arcadia, CA, where they raised their four children: Carolyn, Deborah, Ronald, and Barbara. There are many fond memories of family time spent together: on bike rides with picnics, lots of wonderful beach days in Laguna and Newport, playing paddle tennis, basketball, swimming, and many fun family vacations. Dad cheered us on in our different sport endeavors and interests. During this time Ernie was also a volunteer and official for the Tournament of Roses, and active in Boys Scouts with Ron.
On Valentine’s Day 1990, Dad married Donna Dianetti. They enjoyed life and adventures together until they separated in April of 2000.
Our Father had a terrific sense of humor, but also developed a more sensitive, compassionate side after he got involved with AA. As a close friend noted: “It made him a more complete person who could show interest in others, laugh at himself, and be honest about life. It also raised up in him a spiritual dimension that enriched the rest of his life.” Ernie made many long and lasting friendships in AA and supported others in their journey with sobriety. He was proud of celebrating 30 birthdays! in the program.
Dad had such a unique joy for living, that watching his decline and suffering the past couple of years has been heartbreaking. Initially, the concern and confusion about what was happening with him; eventually, the devastation of the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy Bodies. His passing has been made even harder due to these difficult times, and isolation of the pandemic. Dad spent the last months of his life at The Kensington, Sierra Madre where he received wonderful care. Their constant stewardship and compassion dealing with our father in his advanced state of dementia provided great comfort.
We invite you to visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association website (lbda.org) to learn more about this debilitating disease. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernie’s memory can be made at https://www.lbda.org/donate/, or to an institution of your choice.
Ernie is survived by his four children, and their spouses: Ronald Smith and wife Amie, Carolyn (Gutches) Smith, Deborah Smith, Barbara Dorsch and husband Aaron, and their Mother, Evelyn L. Smith. His six grandchildren: Brenna Smith, Benjamin Smith, Noah Dorsch, Aidan Dorsch, Anna Dorsch, and Ethan Gutches. His nieces and nephews: Scott Smith, Jeannine Smith, Donna Bromley, Stephen Rose, and Linda Rose. He is predeceased by his Father, Benjamin F. Smith, Mother, Julia Louise Smith, Brother, Benjamin Smith Jr., Sister, Barbara Rose, Nephew, Douglas Rose, and ex-wife, Donna Dianetti.
In our mind’s eye, we remember Dad on the weekend after his 80th birthday celebration. We gathered in his backyard with his rowdy grandchildren playing and enjoying his pool. A big smile on his face as he treasured spending that special time with us all together in a place he loved so much.
To honor Ernie, Claremont College has published a tribute documenting his impressive athletic accomplishments. Please follow this link:
https://cmsathletics.org/general/2020-21/releases/20210118hcwlts to read the tribute.
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