Richard Smith Jr.

Richard Maxwell Smith Jr
July 18, 1946 - August 29, 2023
ONE LIFE LIVED MANY LIVES TOUCHED
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Dick Smith a teacher from PSHS who has been very ill over the past two years post Covid-19 infection. He had suffered from numerous setbacks in his struggles to push through the many pains and serious health obstacles that sent him back and forth from hospital ICU to six different rehabilitation centers for recovery and physical therapy. He ultimately could not escape sepsis infection that culminated in full cardiac arrest.
Dick Smith, loving and devoted husband to wife, Lisa Kriss-Smith of 29 years and Daddy to their two Lhasa Apso girls, Bella (Daddy,s Snowball) and Madison (Daddy,s Cinnabon) who he adored and loved and received in kind ten fold. Son Richard Maxwell Smith III who proudly served as a Washington D.C. Police Officer disabled and retired as a result of injuries incurred on the job resides in Suitland, Maryland. Dick leaves behind two brothers, Donald Smith and wife, the late Darlene Smith who resides in Afton, VA. Niece Kimmie and Katie and husband Cole and children Leighton & Merrick ; David Smith Sr and wife Nancy Jean and nephews David Jr and wife Que, Brian, and niece and Goddaughter Chrystal Smith from Bowie,Maryland. Father, the late Richard Maxwell Smith Sr.Master Sargent US Air-force and Mother, the late Doris Tesser-Smith were sure to be at the gates opened armed to embrace their son once again.
Mr.Smith was an educator in Maryland teaching history to 8th grade students right out of college and student teaching mentoring. He earned his Bachelor's in Science in Education at Bowie State College. He later took a separation from teaching to work for the largest and most successful grocery food chain within the Baltimore/Washington D.C. marketplace at their corporate headquarters to manage, buy, promote and drive sales, profits and market share in all canned fruits, vegetables, beans, pie fillings etc. This short stint served him very well in negotiating and advocating for his students as he returned back to the classroom once again when he entered into the Anne Arundel County Public Schools into the Fabrication/Wood Working/Drafting trades that students would rotate throughout the year. Mr. Smith would use his sourcing and connections to to lean in an be able to secure significant contributions of materials for the students to have quality and quantity to go around for the entire year to stand up to the budget cuts that these very needed programs were experiencing.
Mr. Smith's highlight in his continued teaching and mentoring young men and woman was when he joined the Welding & Metal Fabrication Department at Plymouth South High School in Plymouth,MA. Additionally, he taught the Osha classes for students certifications. Along side his friend and Director, John Morash, whom is a certified welder who was able to lift the level and value of education and tradesmanship to all of these Plymouth South High School Students because these students earns certifications in specific welding competencies. Mr. Smith always enjoyed his students. Thrived to see them master each new welding certification. Drove home safety and respect in the shop at all times. He always came home to his wife with a favorite student story of the day. Mr. Smith loved his students, respected his peers, was a very soft spoken man, a kind, honest, loving man with integrity and a belly that would chuckle if he got to laughing. He has touched so many young lives of our future generations that it is just so impressive and it was always something that Mr. Smith was so very proud of..he was always molding the future, " Pretty Cool", he would say.
There will be a very informal "CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR MR. DICK SMITH"
that will be open to all students, faculty, friends, community, caregivers all who's life has been touch by Mr. Dick Smith that will be held at Nelson's Memorial Beach Park in Plymouth.. We plan to gather September 27th @ 6 PM for approximately 90 minutes. We will have a signing memorial book for everyone to sign and leave a message that Mrs. Smith will treasure and READ EVERY ONE OF THEM to help in her healing of her huge loss of the love of her life and best friend!
Mr.Smith.s finally resting place will be at The Grotto of St. Mary's on top the mountain in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This will be a private family intimate celebration that will be done in the Spring, Mr. Smith's favorite season.