I met Richard  when I started dating his son (Craig), I was in my early teens. He has been like another father to me and I'm deeply saddened that he left everyone so soon, he still had much left to share and enjoy in this world. I'm blessed for the time I'd gotten to know him and in awe with how talented he was.

He was a wonderful father to Craig and a loyal, loving, and caring brother to his sister Martha. Whenever he played the piano it was always so magical and he could really make you feel the messages the songs carried. Richard was the most caring and positively good natured person I have ever met and no matter how grim things could be he'd always have a smile for you. 

When I heard the news that Dick Smith had passed away my heart was so heavy.  I remember my mom and dad taking me to hear him at the Mill Race.  Dick and Wayne Mules rocked those organs together. Then when Phillips Harborplace opened in 1980 they played the piano there solo and with the Phillips Ragtime Band.  Dick made Phillips piano bar the place to be and he Luved it there. He was loyal to Phillips until the pandemic  began with a 40 year run.  Dick made Christmas Eve feel like it was a family event.  And it was a family event,  one he created over the years.  People who  became wonderful lifetime friends would gather around the piano join hands, and you could feel the love and joy in the room.  You couldn’t stump Dick with a song!  If you could hum it he could play it.  He played many private events for my family and myself. The world has lost a wonderful musician. He was a wealth of knowledge when it came to music. Personally I will miss his many stories about people he would meet  and the places he played.  One Sunday he was playing the piano at Phillips and we looked up and there was Liberace standing behind him in the window. We told him to turn around and he did. Liberace gave him a thumbs up and continued walking on.  The smile on Dicks face was priceless.  Rest In Peace my friend!  I hope you and Wayne are playing in that grand piano bar in heaven. 🙏🏻❤️

My wonderful blessed friendship with Dick began in 2012 when i met him at a Lecture at Loyola University on the subject of Baltimore Theatres, i heard that he was the last surviving theatre organist from The Stanley Theatre in Baltimore that was demolished in 1965. He played the fabulous 3 Manual 31 rank Kimball organ from 1963-1965 and played a show with Count Basie. Many times i went to Dick's apartment and listened to his amazing playing techniques on his Conn Organ where he would play his self composed piece The Stanton Kimball Waltz Days Of Wine And Roses by Henry Mancini and Moon River by Jesse Crawford. Many times we share a conversation on the phone and rejoice in memories from the past and i attended two of his recitals at Dickinson High School on the Kimball Organ that was once in the Stanton Theatre and he even treated me to a birthday breakfast at the Nautilus Diner just last October. It was so heartbreaking for me to hear of his passing just two days before Christmas, but i am blessed to know that he is at peace now with the good lord above the clouds looking down upon us and still playing the keys for us like he always has. He brought us so much love joy peace and most of all soothing music. This music brought us so much love and tears and now that he is home with the lord the music shall always keep playing and never fade away or stop playing. I will forever love you Dick you will always be remembered by all who knew you loved you and listened to you play your heart out. You always filled the halls church and theaters with your music and now the clouds will be filled with musical notes and love. Heavenly music shines it's light down upon us all. Rest In Peace Richard God Brought Us Together and we shall always be together forever and forever. Love and hugs from your forever loving friend in Christ John Bennaman  

My brother Steve Baker studied under Dick 1970 ish and was largely influenced by his playing style.  Steve was quoted in a local newspaper in Odenton saying, " Dick Smith is a musical genius". 
I am grateful that Dick taught Steve for that gift provided our family, and many others, years of entertainment and good memories.
If there are Wurlitzer organs in heaven, there is a whole of good music being played.
Thank you, Keith Baker

Richard always had a kind word.  He particularly enjoyed the church luncheons,  especially the desserts!  Always ready with praise for the sermons and the work of the Lord in his life!

Dick was a long time friend of our family and mentored my brother Joe on the organ 

Two very talented keyboard guys

God rest his soul forever 




The music world has suffered a tragic loss with Dick's passing.  First meeting him when he played at the Millrace Tavern in Woodlawn in the 70's and playing piano and organ  myself I quickly saw what an exceptional musician he was.  He once told me that I could never play his modified Wurlitzer organ and that he would not teach me.  I had no problem with that as he could not stop me from copying some of his techniques, which vastly improved my playing.  My family arranged for Dick to play at  a  surprise birthday party for me where we had two organ consoles back to back and we played duets together.   I also shared time at the pipe organ at Roy Wagner's home after Dick played, and we attended his concert at the Delaware school.  I'll never forget him.  May our memories of him be for a blessing.   

Met Dick at Phillips. He made Christmas Eve special for many many people and his tradition of joining together to celebrate and come together has led to a wonderful tradition.

Dick was always happy to share his expertise.....name a song, he could play it....want to know who wrote a song, yes-he also knew that answer!!

Wayne Mules and Dick Smith are now playing lots of ragtime music for the angels.  Before Phillips, Dick and Wayne played piano at The Millrace.

Dick smiling again....just loved the piano....he loved good times!

Always with a smile....from day one at Phillips he just loved playing the piano!

Had to share this wonderful picture of Dick surrounded by some of regulars at Phillips doing what we did best - HAVING A GREAT TIME AND ENJOYING DICK'S PLAYING!!  Christmas Eve 2010.

So many wonderful memories of Dick at the piano in Phillips with the "gang" singing along!!  He never missed a beat or a note and could play anything you could sing!!  RIP Dick - the music in heaven will be richer with you there.

Dick Smith was a great guy and I remember MANY, MANY, MANY EVENINGS at Phillips when Dick entertained folks!  Lots of great, fun times were had with him facilitated the background music!!

Margie


The person who I wanted to play the organ at my Mothers Funeral Service wasn't able to do so and Dick was highly recommended as the replacement to do the job. The other Funeral Home Directors present were so impressed with his ability to play and asked for his business card as they said the
Organ came alive with the touch of his fingers on the Keyboard! So pleased he was able to perform on that day, join us for lunch afterwards and refer lots of business his way. A real Gem has been lost!

OBITUARY

Richard Nicholas Smith

July 30, 1945 – December 23, 2021

Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley Inc.

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