Obituary for Richard Lee "Dick" Smith
Richard (Dick) Lee Smith, 86, of Bonita Springs, FL passed away June 15, 2022 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice with family by his side. He fought a brief battle against pancreatic cancer. He embraced his role as husband, father, grandpa and Gpa and we will cherish his love, caring, support, enduring stories and all the memories that he has left with us.
Richard was born April 16, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN to Chester and Aline (See) Smith. Growing up in Hopkins, MN he worked hard and excelled at sports. Dick graduated Hopkins High School class of 1954 where he was an integral part of the state championship basketball teams in 1952 and 1953. He attended North Dakota State and the University of Minnesota. Richard married his beloved wife Joanne (Anderson) in 1954 and they were married for 67 years. He began working for Red Owl Foods and continued his career in food distribution, working for Super Valu, Schneider, Foodtown, Vlasic, Rykoff Sexton and US Foods. His positions took the family from Minneapolis to Green Bay, WI, Dayton and Toledo, OH and finally to Ann Arbor, MI. All along the way he was Joanne’s right hand man in her career as well. They “retired” to Bonita Springs where they had vacationed for so many years and grew their network of friends, enjoying 22 years of sunshine, paradise, working and traveling together. He was a member of Naples United Church of Christ and the Elks Club.
Richard is survived by daughter Jacqueline (Michael) Daniels of Nolensville, TN and son Richard (Laura) Smith of Florence, AL. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, Ryan (Michelle) Daniels, Jason (Kristen) Daniels, Matthew (Lindsey) Daniels, Leigh (Alex) Beelke, Nathan, Elaina and Austin Smith, and 7 great-grandchildren, David and Robert Daniels, Mackenzie, Keeley and Samantha Daniels and Blair and Porter Beelke. Richard was predeceased by his wife Joanne only 7 months ago. Dick was also predeceased by daughter Jodi L Gipson, his parents, his sister Cheryl Hilgers, in-laws Cleon and Marie Anderson and brother-in-law John Anderson. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date in Minneapolis, MN. Arrangements provided by Legacy Options-Bonita Springs. Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider pancan.org.
Richard was born April 16, 1936 in Minneapolis, MN to Chester and Aline (See) Smith. Growing up in Hopkins, MN he worked hard and excelled at sports. Dick graduated Hopkins High School class of 1954 where he was an integral part of the state championship basketball teams in 1952 and 1953. He attended North Dakota State and the University of Minnesota. Richard married his beloved wife Joanne (Anderson) in 1954 and they were married for 67 years. He began working for Red Owl Foods and continued his career in food distribution, working for Super Valu, Schneider, Foodtown, Vlasic, Rykoff Sexton and US Foods. His positions took the family from Minneapolis to Green Bay, WI, Dayton and Toledo, OH and finally to Ann Arbor, MI. All along the way he was Joanne’s right hand man in her career as well. They “retired” to Bonita Springs where they had vacationed for so many years and grew their network of friends, enjoying 22 years of sunshine, paradise, working and traveling together. He was a member of Naples United Church of Christ and the Elks Club.
Richard is survived by daughter Jacqueline (Michael) Daniels of Nolensville, TN and son Richard (Laura) Smith of Florence, AL. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, Ryan (Michelle) Daniels, Jason (Kristen) Daniels, Matthew (Lindsey) Daniels, Leigh (Alex) Beelke, Nathan, Elaina and Austin Smith, and 7 great-grandchildren, David and Robert Daniels, Mackenzie, Keeley and Samantha Daniels and Blair and Porter Beelke. Richard was predeceased by his wife Joanne only 7 months ago. Dick was also predeceased by daughter Jodi L Gipson, his parents, his sister Cheryl Hilgers, in-laws Cleon and Marie Anderson and brother-in-law John Anderson. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date in Minneapolis, MN. Arrangements provided by Legacy Options-Bonita Springs. Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider pancan.org.