Richard Eugene "Dick, Smitty" Smith

Saturday, September 6, 2025, we said goodbye to one tough cowboy at the Extended Care Facility in Sidney Montana. He was 81 years old.
The road to Heaven was one hell of a ride. ~ Chris Ledoux
Richard Eugene "Dick" "Smitty" Smith's life began on February 23, 1944, in Paso Robles, California to Wilbur Henry and Alma Louise (Ellis) Smith. He was less than a year old when his dad completed his Military Service Duties and moved back home to Crawford, NE. Dick was the first living child of Wilbur and Alma followed by brother Duane in 1945, sister Linda in 1946 and brother Billy in 1952. He was known by family as "Richard" and his friends called him "Dick" or "Smitty."
He was lucky to have two Aunties, Joy and June, who were only a few years older than he was. They lived with him in High School, had a lot of fun together and they also got into a lot of trouble together.
Growing up was a happy time, especially at Grampa Bill's Farm. He learned early on the value of being strong, independent and resilient. He had the grip of an iron man even up to the end, he had a hell of a grip and didn't want to let go. He was a born leader. He was a jokester. He was a big cheater at cards. He was a fighter. It didn't take him long to learn the gift of "bull shitting" that he became known for. He had many interesting conversations, many stories shared, with a Marlboro in one hand and a beer or cup of coffee in another.
He loved to dance the two step and jitter bug. He was a dance partner to many through the years. When the band or jukebox started, he got up, grabbed the nearest pretty girl and hit the dance floor. He was even in a band called the "Kaylon 5" and was told he sang "just like Elvis."
He graduated in 1962, excelled in school, in sports as a star athlete, and was the prom King. He really was hell on wheels and had the motto "life's really short" especially being a bull rider in the Little Britches Rodeo. He had no fear and knew how to have a good time.
He was working north of Crawford at the Norman Ranch when he and Patricia "Patty Mae" (Forsberg) started dating in 1964. She was one of Linda's best friends and they knew each other from High School. They married in 1965 in Crawford, Nebraska at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
To this union, daughters Lisa Dawn was born July 1965, and Tracy Yvette was born July 1966 in Gering, NE. He was working as a ranch hand, a cowboy and at the Sales ring. Many job changes had them drifting through the states of Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming where Richard "Corey" was born March 1969 in Newcastle. Corey was a baby when they moved to Belle Creek, Montana. This is when Dick began his oil and gas career. In Broadus, Montana , he met Russ Compton and his family and were lifelong friends. His job transferred him and the family again to Utah, Colorado and finally to Sidney, Montana in 1978.
The life of living in the "Oil Patch" was never boring. He was a pumper for Crystal Oil and Gas, Flint Engineering, Mitchell's Oilfield Service, Co-Owner of Rebel Roustabout, and lastly co-owner of Talon Contractors with John Welnel. He and John had a very successful oil construction company. He was proud of this accomplishment and made many lasting friendships. Dad thought the world of Mark Steffan, Jay Nesper, Chris Gabrielson, and Marvin Welnel just to name a few. Dad said they were hard-working, dependable, and some of the best employees he ever had.
He loved to read Louis Lamour and a good mystery, golfed, fished, bowled, was a rodeo roper, and enjoyed working leathercrafts. Loved watching a good Western and the Cowboy Channel was always on. He was proud to say he was a previous Elks Member and Knight of Columbus.
It was important to him to make sure we went to church every Saturday night, went to CCD, that supper was on the table by 5 pm and our chores were done. He was strict and we all towed the line. He made sure we said our prayers at night and a table blessing before each meal. He was very proud of all his children and grandchildren; he loved watching their sporting events; wrestling, hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball and rodeo. He loved when the "littles" came in so he could spoil them with skittles, Oreo cookies, Rollo's and Pepsi; sometimes all at the same time.
He loved going back home to Crawford, Nebraska every year to the all class reunion and to Thermopolis, Wyoming for Smith family reunions. He loved his siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and the feeling was mutual.
Unfortunately, Dick and Patty Mae separated and later divorced after 28 years of marriage.
Dick met Valerie "Val" Smith from Poplar, MT at a branding and they shared their lives together for the next 20 years. Val's daughters Kelly and Jessica accepted him into the family and called him "pops" and "dad." He was everything to Jess.
Together they ran the buffalo ranch and had cattle. He was an EMT, a truck driver for Danny Fugere, an ER Tech, Home Health Aide, and helped Gary Grainger at his farm for many years. He was on the rodeo trail with Val, Jess and the family announcing rodeos. He LOVED TRAINING and WORKING HORSES.
Dick and Val ended their relationship together after 20 years. He moved in with his son Corey for a couple years then moved in with his friend Russell Carlson. His health was progressively declining, he didn't really agree to move to town but he needed to be close to family and consistent healthcare. He lived at the Crestwood Manor, The Lodge, and lastly the Extended Care Facility, where he took his last breath with family gathered around him.
Dick lived his life by this simple code– always offer a firm handshake, be able to drink a straight shot, and learn the ropes to tell a good story! He was a stranger to no one. He was a friend to many. He would never ask anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself.
Dad recently told me a perfect day for him is, "to sit on my horse riding around and tending to my own land and ranch with no worries in the world."
Dick is survived by his daughters Lisa Smith, Shepherd, MI, and Tracy (Paul) Denowh, Sidney, MT; son Richard "Corey" Smith, Sidney, MT; stepdaughters, Jessica "Jess" (Slade) Ruffing, Seneca, SD and Kelly Lambert, Poplar, MT; sister Linda (Marvin) Morrow, Justin, TX; brother Billy (Patti) Smith; aunts Joy Hamilton, Saratoga, WY, and June Winget, Crawford, ND; grandchildren Jamie (Jake) Parker, Cody (Corrina) Barnes, Casey (Nettie Mae) Denowh, Collin (Chelsea) Barnes, Brooke ( Ethan) Ash, Jeremy ( Adam) Carroll, Justin (Tanya) Carroll, Cody (Randi) Carroll, Chance Smith, Piper Ruffing, Chase Furuli, Shayna Connell, and Kylie, Sarie & Ethan LaFromoise; great-grandchildren Ellison & Jack, Brynn & Bodie, Olivia & Murphy, Everett & Etta Mae, Karter & February baby 2026, Ethan, Madison & Chase, Blake, Lance & Lilly and many other step great grandchildren. He leaves behind many loved family members and friends who will cherish his memory.
Dick entered into eternal peace with his grandparents, his parents, brothers Larry and Duane, sister Sharon, grandson Ethan Ruffing, aunts, uncles, and many other beloved family and friends.
Dad had True Grit~ Endurance & Fought The Good Fight. He will be missed, remembered, is at peace and we are too. Until we meet again… Rest "easy" Dad! We love you too!
Thank You
We express our deepest gratitude for the kindness, compassion and support provided for our Dad to the staff at The Lodge, The Extended Care and Sidney Health Center, Dr. Jerome Kessler, Father Jim O'Neil, Sister Regina Murray and Sister Rita Rauschendorfer from Emmaus House, Al McGahan and all family and friends.