Rick Frederick Smith

1948 - 2022

Rick Frederick Smith

Rick Frederick Smith passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on August 23, 2022, surrounded by his family after a long battle with kidney failure. Rick was born in 1948 in Tulsa, OK to Fred and Leona Smith and graduated from Sapulpa High in 1966. He developed a love of all things mechanical by growing up on a family salvage yard where he spent his days taking apart and rebuilding old cars. This ultimately led to a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Metallurgy from Oklahoma State University in 1972. During this time, he also served in the Army National Guard.

Rick went on to a successful business career at NORDAM and its subsidiary, LORI. He was responsible for many aspects of product development including the Hush Kit program which reduced plane engine noise by 80%. He was instrumental in the design and construction of their new facility at the Cherokee Industrial Park in Owasso. Rick also had several patents to his name including a method to produce curved honeycomb used in aerospace manufacturing.

He always talked fondly of his time at NORDAM and many of his dearest friends to this day were colleagues and co-workers. These relationships eventually led to meeting his wife, Lynda, whom he adored. They were fortunate to travel often and especially loved a good RV and Harley Davidson trip.

Rick was an avid NASCAR fan and rarely missed a race. He also loved Grand Lake, owning several homes there over 30 years, where so many great memories were made with family and friends. He always used this time to relax from a hard week of work and to wrench on old cars.

Rick was fiercely loyal to those he loved and respected. He could always be called upon for a simple solution to any mechanical issue. Though often initially described as intimidating and perhaps gruff, those that knew him well loved his company. He had a great sense of humor and wasn't shy to have a good time.

Rick is survived and will be missed by: his loving wife of 38 years, Lynda; two children, Ryan Smith (wife, Amy) and Sarah Fanelli (husband, Bobby); and five grandchildren, Sophia, Cooper, Izzy, Brenden, and Barrett; and his dear mother, Leona Plett Carr. He was preceded in death by his brother, Rex Harry Smith, and father, James Frederick Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10 AM - 12 pm, Friday, September 16, 2022, at Stanley's Funeral Service. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to American Kidney Fund and/or Animal Aid of Tulsa. www.stanleysfuneralhome.com