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Richard Smith Obituary
Rick was born at St. Joseph Infirmary in Louisville on March 21, 1953 to Zora Lee Gellhaus Smith and Harry Douglas Smith. He was retired from American Air Filter International after 34 years of service as a Mechanical Engineer. He was a proud graduate of St. Rita Elementary School and St. Francis DeSales High School. He received his BSME from the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering and an MBA from Bellarmine University.
He was a lifelong member of St. Rita Catholic Church, where he took pleasure in performing service as a Lector, and Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. He was a director for many years on the American Motors Owners Association Board of Directors, a charter member of the AMC Street Machines Car Club and a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He was an avid Louisville Cardinals fan.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Zora Smith; and his sisters, Sherry and Pam Smith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Debbie; their three daughters, Kari, Amanda and Jennifer; three sisters, Dr. Janet Smith-Roberts (John), Kay Russell (David), and Marla Weigel (Brian); five brothers, John (Carolyn), Phillip (Ellen), Doug, Steve (Lisa) and Joseph Smith; his godson Dr. Tadd Roberts and twenty-two nieces and nephews.
Rick's funeral Mass will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Rita's Catholic Church with burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Arch L. Heady Funeral Home, 8519 Preston Highway Lou, KY 40219.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the University of Louisville Research Fund Department of Neurology or Life in Abundance International 1605 East Elizabeth St #1069 Pasadena CA, 91104.
Please visit our website archlheadypreston.com for online condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Smith
April 22, 2012
Very sorry to hear of Rick's passing. I knew him for many years of his involvement with the American Motors car clubs. Shocked to hear of his passing in the last couple days. Larry R. Daum
George & Mary Ann Frederick
April 14, 2012
I am very saddened to hear of the death of Rick. He was a good friend and I have many fond memories of our time together. Mary Ann and I will be praying for you and your family. We will always question God's reasons and actions. One of my little female Italian patients once told me that God lights a candle for each of us in heaven on the day we are born. When the candle burns out, it is time to visit God. She also said It doesn't matter how good your doctor is or how good the hospital is, when your candle goes out it is time to visit God.
Warmest Regards
George
What we do in life echoes into eternity.
John Smith
April 13, 2012
Rick Smith's Eulogy
by John Smith
Many words define Rick; he was a brother, husband, father, an engineer and a car enthusiast. As a devout Catholic man he shared his love for his mother, father and siblings, with Debbie, Kari, Amanda and Jennifer. He loved animals, working outdoors and especially doing things for others.
When we were growing up, he was my big brother and he was the best big brother that any younger brother could have. He gave me so much inspiration.
When we were young, my Grandmother took care of my older sister Pam who had cerebral palsy. When my grandfather died, she could not take care of my sister and the farm. So Rick as the eldest son at the age of thirteen was called upon to take over the duties that my Grandfather was doing. Besides keeping up with his school work he had to feed and water the cows, keep the yard cut, and tend the garden among other things. This continued though high school, and on into college. This instilled in him a great love of family and service.
When we were growing up there were lots of good times when we all went camping in one of the earliest forms of an RV. It was a 1954 International Harvester 66 passenger school bus and it could accommodate 14. With Mother, Daddy, all of us kids and Grandma too we had it fully occupied and had lots of fun. We went many places and always seemed to have problems. Daddy would always try to park on a slight incline to roll start it in case the battery was low. That was good because most of the time we all piled out and pushed to get it started.
Debbie and Rick were married in October 1981. They were blessed with three daughters, Kari, Amanda and Jennifer. He loved and doted on his daughters and was very proud of them.
I asked the girls to reflect on memories of Rick when they were growing up.
At Sacred Heart Academy, each year there is a science fair. One of the projects was a bridge building contest. Kari's entry earned 3rd place. By the time Jennifer got to this point, he had refined the bridge to be the winning design.
Amanda remembers when she had book reports to do and Rick would free-hand draw a picture for the report cover and she would color to complete the cover.
Jennifer remembers when he got the car lift for his garage and Rick needed help to bleed brakes. He would show them what to do to bleed the brakes and would put them in the car eight feet in the air to get the job done.
Consoling Words from the Heart of Jesus
On the night before He died, Jesus said:
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God;
Have faith also in Me.
In My Father's house
There are many dwelling places...
If I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again
And take you to Myself,
So that where I am
You also may be...
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you...
Do not let your hearts
be troubled or afraid.
John 14
For where your treasure is,
There also will your heart be.
Matthew 6:21
Kay Smith Russell
April 13, 2012
Rick took his position as 'oldest brother' very seriously. From the time we were very little, not more than 5 and 6, I remember when Mother explained to him that it was his job to look after his baby sister, and not to strand me in the tree house by taking the ladder away.
Rick and I are only 18 months apart in age, and were almost inseparable as kids. It seemed we were almost always together, riding bikes, playing marbles, weeding the garden, or getting into trouble.
It was Rick who pulled the board with the rusty nail out of my foot, when I jumped out of that tree house.
It was Rick who applied the first aid cream and 6 band aids to my wound when he accidentally shot me in the back with an arrow. We never told Mother about that until 30 years later. Because we just knew that she would take the bows & arrows away from us.
It was Rick and I who, as young adults, baled all of the hay one cutting when everyone else had the flu.
It was Rick that convinced Mother & Daddy that it was ok for me to date when I had just turned 15, because it was a double date, and he would be there to look out for me. Double dating with your brother, well... Not always as much fun as you might think, but it made Mother feel that I was safe.
Rick and I dated each other's friends, and we kept lots of secrets on each other. And I hung out with him and his friends when they worked on cars through our teenage years.
We were in our first auto accident together. Of course we had been told to come straight home from the ball game, but we decided to go cruising instead. We just didn't see that black Chevelle parked in the middle of Preston late that night.
We almost always had each other's backs. He had me help convince Mother that drag racing was not dangerous, like the oval track racing that some of my friends did.
Although I couldn't really cover for him when he tried to convince Mother that the funny car he wanted to build was called that because the paint job made it look comical.
But, then again ... Rick's race car, and his driving helped save Daddy's life when he had that horrible accident on the farm.
Rick was a lot like Daddy. He HAD to know how everything worked. If he didn't know, he would take it apart and figure it out. There wasn't much that Rick didn't try to do.
God bless the folks who built his house, as he was there every day making sure he knew exactly what they were doing. And he knew the engineers at Chrysler and Jeep by name, because he called them,...on a regular basis, to tell them how to improve their automotive designs on every car he ever purchased .
When Daddy was injured, Rick stepped into many of Daddy's roles. He took the task of teaching his younger brothers the mechanical skills he had learned. He took the role of Information Director at St. Rita's picnics. He took the responsibility of directing the farm activities for Mother. He kept watch over everything and everybody. Whether it was needed or not, Rick felt it was his role to tell all of his siblings what they should do in life. And it was all because of the tremendous amount of love and respect that he had for everyone in his family.
The past several years have been difficult for Rick, as his cognitive thinking and mental processes became more of a daily struggle for him. He had come to depend on his wife and his siblings for help and support.
Yet, His care and concern for others extended far beyond his family, to friends and neighbors alike. You never knew when Rick would show up, nor what mission he was there to accomplish. But you can bet it was out of care and concern for others.
Rick was a friend to many, many people. He became your friend the minute he met you. He will truly be missed by many.... family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
But as he takes a part of my heart and soul with him.... he will, as he always has been.....My Big Brother!
Rick, I love you and will miss you dearly, rest in peace and watch over us all..
Kay
Jerri Stark
April 12, 2012
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
Mark Stephens
April 12, 2012
Rick was a good man and a great friend that I was fortunate enough to attend Baseball games, basketball games, and Nascar races with, I'm going to miss him. My sincere sympathy to the family. RIP "Ricky"
Tim & Kathy Priddy
April 12, 2012
Growing up with The Smith Family was and has been a real blessing, We both feel we have lost a brother.. You All are In our hearts and in our prayers. Tim & Kathy Priddy(Houston,TX)
Robert J Stark
April 12, 2012
Debbie and daughters,brothers and sisters as well you ALL have our best wishes and deepest sympathies. Rick was a GOOD man who I was privileged to know and call a friend. He knew MORE about vehicles than the average man because he was way ABOVE average.Everyone who knew him lost something irreplacable when he died.He was
loved by many and will be missed by many more. Me included... Bobby
Charlene & Jim Leason
April 12, 2012
May the love and support of your family and friends give you strength and comfort during this very difficult time. With deepest sympathy...
April 12, 2012
I went to St. Rita with Rick, and his family. They lived right down the road from me. Rick was a great guy, always friendly to everyone he met. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. May he rest in peace.
Jan Nelson
Dee & Robert Jackson
April 12, 2012
With prayers and hope that love, strength, comfort and peace will buoy you all through these most difficult of times.
Dave Fry
April 12, 2012
My condolences on your loss.
Rick touched many lives through his journey on Earth and there are many fond Memories. Thank you for sharing Rick with us.
May you find Peace in Life as Rick has found Peace in Heaven with our Lord.
Dave
Wanda Miller
April 12, 2012
I worked with Rick at AAF for many years. He introduced me to "chicken minis" as the breakfast of choice. My heartfelt sympathy to Debbie and the girls as well as his brothers and sisters.
Dave and Mary Laemmle
April 11, 2012
To John and Steve:
We are very sorry for the loss of your brother.
We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
God Bless You All
Dave and Mary Laemmle
Sylvia King
April 11, 2012
To the Smith Family: My deepest sympathy goes out to you in this time of sorrow. My prayers are with you and your family.
Rusty & Dawn Barrett
April 11, 2012
To All of the Smith Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of mourning. May happy memories of Rick bring you comfort.
Ken Wieting
April 10, 2012
Rick is my neighbor. I met him 5 years ago when he welcomed me to the neighborhood. Since he grew up in this area he introduced me to the history and background of the old house I bought. He had been such a good friend and neighbor and I will greatly miss him and his friendly visits. My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and their daughters.
April 10, 2012
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. He was an outstanding man, we really liked him. We always felt comfortable around him, he was a supportive father and husband. We apologize that we are out of town this week, but your family is in our prayers.
The Jankowski Family (Dennis, Carol, and Erin)
Rob Lloyd
April 10, 2012
So sorry to hear this news. I worked with Rick at AAF. He took a lot of pride in his work and really knew his stuff when it came to diesel engine intake filtration. My thoughts are with your family.
Paula Murro
April 10, 2012
Dear Dr. Smith and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you all in my prayers.
PHIL & ROBERTA CLIFTON
April 10, 2012
OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. WE PRAY YOU WILL DRAW STRENGTH AND COMFORT FROM YOUR FAITH IN GOD. YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Missi Mercer
April 10, 2012
Debbie, you and your daughters are in our thoughts and prayers.
O Pylant
April 10, 2012
Debbie, my heart goes out to you and your daughters. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melissa Box
April 10, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Praying for all of you during this time. Melissa
Scott Duncan
April 10, 2012
With our condolences - we have made a contribution to Life in Abundance.....
Dr. and Mrs. Scott Duncan
April 10, 2012
I am so sorry for you guys. May the good Lord guide you through this tragedy. Too young..... David and Carol Adamkin
April 9, 2012
Deeply sad about Rick's passing. He left a beautiful legacy of three bright daughters.
Our sincere sympathy to Debbie, Kari, Amanda, Jennifer, and all of Rick's brothers and sisters.
Pam and Garry Bushau
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