Richard P. Smith

TRAVERSE CITY — Richard "Dick" P. Smith, 89, of Traverse City, entered into the mystery of eternal life on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, with his loving family, hospice and Orchard Creek Supportive Living staff by his side. Dick was born on April 9, 1922, in Dundee, to the late Edwin and Clare (Stowell) Smith. Dick married Mary L. Lerch, his high school sweetheart and true love of his life, on Aug. 13, 1942. Together they raised three children.In World War II Dick honorably served our country in the United States Army Air force. After his return from service he went into real estate. Dick was a dedicated broker with the real estate industry for over 62 years. He was involved with Schmidt Gertz in 1955 and later Dick Smith and Co. He was the past president of the Grand Traverse Board of Realtors.Dick was a charter member and past president of the Acme Civic Organization and received the Distinguished Service Recipient in 1973. He was a volunteer and founding member of the Acme Township Fire Department and chairman of the Acme Zoning Board and Planning Commission. He was on the board of directors for the East Traverse Catholic Federal Union. He was also a board member and trustee for Child and Family Services. Dick was the first president and founding member of the birth of Vos School Board. Dick served on the Traverse City Chamber Board of Directors from 1980 to 1984 and served as the president in 1983. He also won the Chamber Distinguished Citizen Award in 1986.Dick was a member and past president of the Traverse City Kiwanis Club and co-chair of the United Way Campaign. He was an active and devoted member of St. Francis Catholic Church for many years. Most importantly, Dick will be fondly remembered as Santa Clause in Acme for over 56 years. He loved people and always looked out for their welfare. He was a very special person who will be missed by all who knew him. Surviving Dick are his wife of 69 wonderful years, Mary L. Smith; children, Mary B. Smith, Richard "Ron" (Darlene "Bonnie") Smith and Norbert "Ed" (Barbara) Smith; brothers, Maynard Smith and the Rev. Wayen (Helen) Smith; a sister, Jean Rhodes; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, the Rev. James Smith. Visitation for Dick will take place on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a rosary recitation at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m., at St. Francis Catholic Church. Burial will take place at Acme Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Richard P. Smith

November 22, 2011