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 Care 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, in Ida. 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 and Smith in 1955 and later Dick Smith and Co. He was the past president of the Traverse City Board of Realtors.Dick was a charter member and past president of the Acme Civic Association and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1973. He was a volunteer and founding member of the Acme Township Fire Department. He was chairman of the Acme Township Board and also on the Acme Zoning Board and Planning Commission. He was on the Board of Directors for the East Traverse Catholic Federal Credit Union. He was also a board member and trustee for Child and Family Services. Dick was the first president and founding member of the Bertha 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 won the Chamber of Commerce 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 most of his life. 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 added much to the life of our community. Surviving Dick are his wife of 69 wonderful years, Mary L. Smith; children, Bonnie Smith, Richard "Ron" (Darlene) Smith and Norbert "Ed" (Barbara) Smith; a brother, the Rev. Wayne (Helen) Smith; a sister, Jean Rhodes; a brother in-law, Norbert Lerch; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, the Rev. James Smith and Maynard Smith. Visitation for Dick will take place on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a rosary recitation at 7 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. 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 Hospice of Michigan. Please sign Dick's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.