He was the son of James Arthur Smith and Mildred Elsie Thomas.
He was one of 12 children and the youngest son. Surviving is a brother, Alfred E. Smith of Navato, CA and sister, Alice Brenda Gaffney of Southborough, MA.
His children are Stephanie Mary Gibree and husband Arthur, Richard Carl Smith and wife Sheila, and Martin James Smith and friend Lisa Denapoli.
He has one grandson, Arthur Richard Gibree of Bremerton, WA. Surviving him is his companion of 41 years, Ruth Ora Mortensen.
At the age of four Richard and his family moved to Southborough, MA and he graduated from Peters High School with the class of 1952.
He then worked for Telecron several years before going to Raytheon Company where he was a precision inspector and retired after 35 years.
He served with the Massachusetts National Guard, belonged to the Ham Radio Club in Marlborough, MA, and was a licensed pilot.
Upon moving to New Bern, NC, in 1988 he became a master gardener and recieved his 20 year service pin from them. He was a long-time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the ATF Home Brew Club, and the Craven-Pamlico Beekeepers Club. He enjoyed woodworking, mechanics, and tinkering in his well-stocked shop, but most of all he loved helping people and made many fine friends everywhere he went.
A memorial service will be held at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, NC on July 30, 2021 at 2pm. A funeral service will also be held in Southborough, MA at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Dick's honor to: The PruittCares Foundation 810 Kennedy Ave. New Bern, NC 28560.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18