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Richard Smith Obituary
He leaves his wife of 58 years, Virginia (Brown) Smith; three sons: Douglas Smith and his wife Theresa of Mansfield, Steven Smith and his wife Mary of Woodland Hills, CA, and Craig Smith of Northborough; his daughter, Karen Smith of Mashpee; eight grandchildren: Heather, Thomas, Michael, William, Stephanie, Nathan, Magdalena and Matthew; five great-grandchildren; his brother, Russell Smith of South Yarmouth; two predeceased brothers: Roger and Winn Smith. He lived in Northborough since 1958.
Richard Derby Smith was born in Greenfield, son of Frank and Beatrice (Henshaw) Smith. He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1944 and attended Emerson College in Boston before beginning his radio career at WHYN in Springfield. He then worked at WMTW in Portland, ME. It was in Portland that he first broadcast as Dick "the Derby" Smith. He brought the name along with his considerable talents to Worcester in 1952, as a host of the "Open House Party," afternoons on WORC, 1310 AM. He soon moved to the morning drive hours, and The Dick Smith Show entertained commuters and housewives throughout the 1950s and '60s. Another popular segment of his program was Trading Post, in which listeners would call in with items for sale and be matched up with potential buyers in the audience. Worcester radio listeners elected him "Mayor of the Air" in 1966. Dick became music and programming director of WORC at the advent of rock and roll radio in New England. He was known throughout the radio and music business as a man of tremendous integrity, with a skill at discerning potential hits, such as The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens. His ability to spot hit records, along with the immediate response of WORC's listeners over the station's always open request lines made Worcester one of the premier testing grounds for new rock and roll records in the nation. He was awarded 25 gold records including one for "She Loves You" by the Beatles on SWAN Records, dedicated to "Dick Smith, America's First Believer." Dick was also well known for his popular Record Hops where Worcester teens would dance their weekend evenings away to current hits and oldies. He left WORC for a time to program WCOP in Boston, then to host afternoons at WTAG in Worcester and was at one time the Northeast Rep for United Artists Records. He returned to mornings at WORC and also served as the station's General Manager in the 1980's. He stayed with the station for the rest of its rock and roll days. Just before WORC switched to a country music format, Dick Smith put together a legendary, weekend-long broadcast, bringing back as many of the old "WORC Good Guys" from the fifties through the eighties as possible to reminisce and celebrate WORC's and Worcester's contribution to rock and roll history.
Dick was an active member of the Northborough Lions Club for almost forty-seven years. He worked tirelessly with the organization and its commitment to eye research. He served in many offices including president of the club in 1970. Among his many achievements, Dick was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Dick was a member of First Baptist Church of Worcester from 1953 to the present. Dick served on several committees including the Board of Deacons and the Governing Board. Richard Derby Smith was a treasured member of the greater Worcester community for the joy he brought his radio listeners and the loyalty and dependability he brought to friends and colleagues. But certainly his greatest gift is the memory he leaves his beloved family.
Calling hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2011 in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St. Northborough. The funeral will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Worcester, 111 Park Ave. Burial will follow in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Mass. Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc. c/o William T. Murphy PDG, Treasurer. P.O. Box 6050, New Bedford, MA 02742. For online condolences, please visit
www.haysfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Smith
Tim Brosnihan
June 2, 2011
Dick the Derby made it cool to be from Worcester, he had a good show, and his influence on music can not be overstated. I grew up listening to him, he was a part of our lives.
May 24, 2011
To the Family of Dick "the derby" Smith:
I send my deepest sympathies to all of you. You all are so very lucky to have had Dick be a part of your lives. I feel very lucky to have met him and share his music he gave to us. I listened to Dick throughout my teenage years on WORC and having known one of the "Good Guys". Dick was truly a gentleman and definitely a true legend. I have so many great memories of listening to Dick and the "Rock and Roll" music while growing up in the 50's and 60's. I just know he is playing his music now in "Rock N Roll" heaven. My sincere condolences.
Dick - may you rest in peace.
Rose (April Stevens) Canty, Worcester
Gary Berkowitz
May 24, 2011
My condolences to the Smith family on Dick's passing. I had the opportunity to know and work with Dick in the 70's at WPRO in Providence. I always enjoyed working with him. Gary Berkowitz, West Bloomfield, MI.
Carol Cowhig
May 23, 2011
It was an honor to have known Dick, and work with him for a short time. I will always appreciate WORC and his amazing talents.
John Garabedian
May 23, 2011
I started working at WORC while still in high school at age 17. It was a crazy radio station filled with looney but insanely creative people. In my first week I immediately noticed Dick Smith who really seemed to anchor the place. Dick radiated his genuine warmth, thoughtfullness, and had an unshakable dedication to doing things well.
Over the years we worked together I learned first hand why Dick had earned the respect of the entire American music industry...his honestly and kindness to all were outrageously unique and deserving of special recognition in an industry filled with hype and ego.
The record industry always referred to him as "Honest Dick Smith." Because of Dick, literally dozens of recording artists had hit songs, because Dick's national status from the radio industry enabled the WORC request reactions to stimulate dozens of radio stations to start playing songs they weree otherwise ignoring. Dick did play the Beatles first in the US, and Dick did hire an unknown British band called the Rolling Stones for their first American performance ever (at the Worcester Auditorium).
Dick stands as a beacon in my life for what it means to be a great human being. He reeked dignity.
Dick Smith was never showy or cruel, always was there to help others, do his best, and all the time did it with a dry humor and wit which made him really fun to be with.
Congratulations to the entire Smith family for having such fortune to spend your lives with this great man.
I say without fear of contradiction: None of us who knew him will ever forget him.
jg
Dick with DJs Joe Coggins Jr. and Rick Somethingorother, 1966
John Garabedian
May 23, 2011
Dick with Bob Bryar at WORC after moving to 8 Portland Street. Dick was made Program Director, replacing Mel Miller on Open House Party in 1957
John Garabedian
May 23, 2011
May 23, 2011
Graciously Jan Bjork informed Carl and me concerning the loss of Dick Smith. Our deep sympathy to Jinny and the family. We remember Dick with respect and appreciation. Carl and Sally Kesseli
May 22, 2011
My condolences to the Smith family on the loss of Richard. May you all find peace in the happy memories you all share. Sincerely
Carol Petrasky
The Blue Echoes Band, Worcester, MA.
Tom Zagryn
May 22, 2011
Dick was special to our band (Blue Echoes). He played our 1963 record
"Blue Bell Bounce" and it went up the WORC charts. Dick called us on a gig at Becker JC. He said that Swan records wanted to release our record nationally. Thanks with sympathy. Tom
Zagryn, Eric Gulliksen, Tom Collins.
PDG Mary Ann Makar
May 21, 2011
My sympathies to Ginny and the rest of the family. Dick was a dedicated Lion, especially for the Sight Impaired and Eye Research. I have many pleasant memories of our times together at Lion events. God bless.
May 21, 2011
Dick was the first cool radio guy I ever heard. Growing up in Worcester
Philip James Lagios
May 21, 2011
I'll always remember Dick as one of the best people I ever worked with. He made my years at WORC most memorable. My deepest sympathy to the Smith family.
Jim Wheelock
May 21, 2011
My condolences to all of the Smith family. I enjoyed the times I had a chance to talk with Dick, and find myself thinking of the rock and roll legacy he leaves behind.
Evelyn Blake
May 21, 2011
Growing up in Barre we all listened to Dick on WORC along with Bob Bryer and Shirley. He added so much to our teenage years with the wonderful rock and roll music. Dick will always be remembered by so many from those 1950's carefree days. My thoughts are with all the Smith family.
Dean Fancy
May 21, 2011
My deepest condolences to the Smith family. I grew up in Northborough, and I listened to WORC radio every day during my childhood. Now I understand why it was such a great radio station.
Toni Columbo
May 21, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the Smith family...
May 21, 2011
Dick Smith is so much a part of the good memories we have of our teenage dating years in Worcester. He was a wonderful man. Our thoughts are with all the family.
Tom and Joan Torgersen Magill
david martin
May 21, 2011
Dick's passing is such a sorrow. Igrew up with him on Worc and he did many a dance in Berlin. Later I was proud to be a member of the Northboro Lions Club with Him. He has a special place in the world and in many hearts, including mine.
David Martin
May 21, 2011
I remember Dick "the derby" Smith from the 50's and 60's. I used to listen to him on the radio all the time along with Skip Ericson and Bob Bryer. I finally got to meet him when he became the disc jockey at St Mary's dances on Saturday nights. What wonderful times we all had and Dick was such a wonderful person. He will surely be missed.. I know he must have a zillion fans out there. Now he will be spinning discs in ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN.
ELAINE... a real fan
Rest in Peace, Dick
Walter Crockett
May 21, 2011
Deepest condolences to the Smith family.
Dick Smith and WORC were responsible for many of the happiest hours of my life. Not just listening to them on the radio in the '50s and '60s, but inspiring me to make music myself. That was a lifelong gift. As a reporter, I interviewed him several times over the years and Dick was a wonderful, genuine gentleman.
People don't usually understand what a difference those years at WORC made to the music world, to the average Worcester listener, and to the musicians who grew up listening. Dick was a prime reason the Beatles and other rock'n'roll musicians succeeded, and a prime reason that Worcester's local music scene was so vibrant and diverse.
There are not many people who get a chance to make such a difference in people's lives, and fewer still who can do so and retain the kindness, compassion, and gentlemanly character that Dick Smith was known for. He was a special man.
Donna Halper
May 21, 2011
I was in radio in Boston during part of his career, and I recall record promoters referring to him as "Honest Dick Smith." I was told he had a reputation for being fair and a good ear for hits. I have several old top-40 surveys from WORC in my collection of radio memorabilia, and he certainly did know which songs were hits. May he rest in peace, and as a media historian, I thank him for his long career.
Don Palmer
May 21, 2011
Deepest Condolences on hearing the passing of my friend Dick Smith....the one person that believed in me, and opened the door to work at WORC many years ago....He will be missed and remembered, by me, Always.....
Roger LaFerriere
May 21, 2011
Rest in Peace Mr. Smith.
I remember you and your "Open House Party" very well - even the little jingle you played.
My sincere condolences to Mr. Smith's family and friends.
From a baby boomer who grew up listening to Dick "The Derby" Smith on WORC.
Dr. Donn Parker
May 21, 2011
Dick Smith was a contemporary who did it right and did it well. His life took him on the straight and narrow, always remembering his strong beliefs in what was Godly. My deepst sympathy for his family. A great guy is now playing his music in Heaven. Donn Parker
Paul Danahy
May 21, 2011
I have so many great memories of Dick listening to "Rock and Roll" on WORC growing up in the 50' and 60's.A true legend as well as a gentleman.My sincere condolences.
paul lauzon
May 21, 2011
to the fammily of dick the derby smith isend deepest sympathy to you and yours may he rest in peace god bless he's one of the good guys for sure paul lauzon echoes of the past wcuw fm 91.3 worcester mass
Dennis Brennan
May 21, 2011
Hon. Dennis Brennan extends his condolences to the entire Smith family on their loss. Dick was a friend and fellow Lion for over forty years. I don't have to tell you what a wonderful man he was.
Thomas Smith
May 20, 2011
Grandpa, you always set a great example. I always looked up to you. You leave behind a great legacy. I miss you. Love your grandson Thomas.
Heather Walker
May 20, 2011
"God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered "come to me." With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best" - unknown
Grandpa- You were a REAL man who will be greatly missed by everyone, including Jim, Dylan, Liam, Hayden and your loving granddaughter, Heather.
Grandpa and Memere are always there.
Stephanie Smith
May 20, 2011
"Since I was a child,
In all that I've been through;
You've always been my hero,
No one stood as tall as you...
Generation to generation,
I'll pass on your legacy;
I'll tell of my loving Grandfather,
And all that you mean to me."-unknown
I love you, admire you, and will miss you.
Mike Roberts
May 20, 2011
My condolences to your family. You truly were one of the "Good Guys"
Mike Roberts
WORC 1998-2004
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