Raymond Sherwood "Bud" Smith II

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Raymond Smith Obituary

Raymond Sherwood "Bud" Smith, II, 84, of Topeka, passed away on Wednesday evening, March 10, 2010 at Lexington Park Nursing Facility in Topeka. He was born April 20, 1925 in Topeka to Raymond Sherwood Smith I and Edith Lee Pennington Smith. Upon graduating from Topeka High school in 1943, he enlisted in the US Army and went with the 26th Infantry Division to Northern France. Sherwood was wounded twice, receiving the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star among other decorations. After his discharge, he attended Kansas State University where he received a degree in architecture. After working for other Topeka firms he started his own business in 1959. He did most of his work designing houses, apartments, motels and office buildings in Topeka and the surrounding area. His knowledge of older construction made him invaluable to remodeling projects throughout the area. His final project was the Chandler Library Pavilion just south of the Topeka library. He was a former member and Commodore of the Shawnee Yacht Club. He was a long standing member of West Side Christian Church, where he sang in the choir. He had been a member of the Topeka Symphony Chorus and later the Shawnee Choral Society. On Sept 11, 1953, he married Betty Joan Bennett. He is survived by his wife and their children - Sheree Smith, (Phillip Gonzales), Cary Phillips, Mona Morrissey, Brian Smith (Audrey), and Bruce Smith as well as 9 grand children and 2 great-grand children. He was preceded by a sister Sherlee Ann Wright. Services by Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel will be held at 11:00 Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Mount Hope Cemetery Mausoleum, Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4125 SW Gage or West Side Christian Church, 432 SW Lindenwood. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com Raymond Smith II

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Published by Topeka Capital-Journal from Mar. 12 to Mar. 16, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Smith

6 Entries

March 30, 2010

Remembering Bud and all the great things he did for everyone in the community. Our sympathy, Ron and Annette Thornburgh

March 17, 2010

My Dad was an architect here in town and as I recall he worked with Bud...and always spoke fondly of him...Dad's gone now, but I still have a watercolor Bud painted that Dad always kept on his office wall.

Take care, our family's thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Bill Ossmann

Charles D. Linn

March 16, 2010

In 1976, when I was a junior at the College of Architecture and Design at K-State, Sherwood hired me as his summer intern. It shouldn't surprise anyone to hear that we had a lot of long talks between trips to Wilson's Drugstore for coffee, and occasionally got some work done. Sherwood was a wonderful storyteller, had an encyclopedic knowledge of Topeka history, the genealogy of local architecture firms, construction technology and was a great teacher. The summer I spent in his office was one of the most enjoyable and memorable of my career. He was very good to me, I know he took time to help out lots of young architects--and hundreds of other people as well.

Thanks, Sherwood. I'll never forget your generous, humorous, interesting self.

Dave Laird

March 16, 2010

I first met Sherwood when he was working on a home next to mine which was converted to offices. He and I both had such a love for old architecture. We used to sit and talk for what seemed like hours. Later, I got to know him again from the old Potwin Barber Shop when he came in.
Rest in peace Bud and thank you for your contributions during WW2--you are truly a part of the Greatest Generation.

Peggy Howe

March 16, 2010

Brian,
It's been a while since I have seen you but was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I lost my Dad 5 years ago so I know how difficult this time is. I pray that God give you and your family the strength you need to get through this difficult time.

Take care and know that our prayers are with you.

Larry and Peggy (Haines) Howe

Susan Stephenson

March 15, 2010

Sending our love of Uncle Bud, Aunt Joan, and all the family. Distance has kept us from being close, but family is family. I have such wonderful memories of Uncle Bud. I remember him as being a "dapper dan" with the seersucker suits and wing tips. My sons and my brother, Richard, cross their legs with the knee over knee...something that most men don't do. They certainly inherited that from him. I was always so proud he was an architect, and I loved hearing all his stories. He was blessed with a wonderful musical talent, and I loved to hear him sing. He was a man of distinction, that is for sure. And I am so happy for him to have finished his life here and move on to be with his family that has gone on before, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father.

Love,
Susan Ann Wright Cole Wadley Higginson Stephenson

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