Richard Aurelius Smith MD

Richard Aurelius Smith, M.D., 93, of Macon, Georgia, formerly a resident of Atlanta and Thomasville, Georgia died Wednesday, November 27, 2024. He was born August 11, 1931 in Atlanta, to Doris Gustine and William Axel Smith, M.D. After graduation from Atlanta’s R.L. Hope Elementary and North Fulton High Schools, he attended Emory University, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and of Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society. In 1955, he graduated with an M.D. degree from the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Phi Chi medical fraternity and Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society. Following completion of neurosurgical residency there in 1961, he practiced in Atlanta from 1961 until retirement in 1993. He was associated in practice with his father, William Axel Smith, M.D., who had been a pioneer Atlanta neurologist and teacher, until the latter’s death in 1983. He was certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1964, and initially served on the staffs of several Atlanta hospitals, but for the last twenty years prior to retirement, continued his practice mostly to Piedmont Hospital, and to Shepherd Center after its inception in 1975.

Dr. Smith was chief of the Neurosurgery section at Piedmont Hospital 1976-1984, and first chairman of the new Piedmont Neuroscience Department 1984-1989. He had also been an instructor and later clinical assistant professor in neurosurgery at Emory University. He was the author or co-author of 21 published scientific papers, as well as 51 oral presentations.

He was a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and Southern Neurosurgical Society, in each of which he held important committee positions; Past President of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society 1981; a fellow of the American College of Surgeons; and a member of the Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society. From 1997 to 2016 he was a federal medical consultant in neurology and neurosurgery for the Social Security Administration.

In 2006, he and his wife moved to Thomasville, Georgia, where they enjoyed their new home, neighborhood and friends, and the culture and activities of this small but remarkable town. Because of health reasons, they moved to Carlyle Place in Macon in 2010.

He was a lifelong Presbyterian and was elected an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta in 1999, subsequently becoming an active member at Peachtree Presbyterian, and First Presbyterian Churches in Thomasville and Macon.

He was also a member of Sons of the American Revolution and Society of the Colonial Wars and was formerly a member of Capital City Club in Atlanta, and of Glen Arven Golf Club in Thomasville, where he enjoyed golf with his friends.

He had a love of music since childhood. He became fairly advanced on the piano, and played on WSB twice, once performing the Warsaw Concerto with Albert Coleman’s Atlanta Pops Orchestra. But music was neglected in favor of medicine until after retirement in 1993. He became a rotating volunteer organist for early morning chapel services at First Presbyterian Church 1998-2002; at Peachtree Presbyterian Church weekly 2002-2006, and more recently monthly at worship services at Carlyle Place.

He enjoyed his professional work and his patients, and he wished to be remembered for his kindness and dedication as a skilled, caring physician, as well as his humility and quick wit. He loved the outdoors, traveling and exploring new places and ideas. A particular joy over many years was mentoring and encouraging young people, and seeing them succeed. Most of all, he was devoted to his loving wife Betty, the love of his life, for whom he waited 60 years, and whom he married on January 11, 1992. His stepdaughter and her husband became his best friends. He loved his step-grandchildren as if they were his own. Each brought him special and increasing joy as he watched them grow up from birth.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Powell Smith; stepdaughter, Barbara Blakely (David), Salem (Lake Keowee) SC, grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Gibase (Robert), Emily Virginia and William James Blakely (Sarah), and two great grandsons, Landon and Holden Gibase, all of Greenville, SC: sister-in-law, Sally Smith; nephew, Brian Smith; two nieces, Samantha Smith and Jennifer Wray (Dr. Steve) all of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his brother, William A. Smith, M.D.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road with Rev. Chip Miller officiating. Interment will be at Westview Abbey in Atlanta. A Celebration of Life and reception will be held at a later date at Carlyle Place. In lieu of flowers, those who wish are encouraged to donate to their favorite charity.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of arrangements.