Richard B. "Dick" Smittle

Richard B. "Dick" Smittle, age 82, of Valencia, PA, formerly of Paden City, W.VA, passed away on Friday evening, September 5, 2025 in the comfort of his home with his family at his side.

Born on March 5, 1943, to Maxine Ilene Anderson and Dillon Baird Smittle, and passing on
September 5, 2025, Dad lived a life bursting with love, laughter, learning, and a fair bit of
spaghetti sauce on his shirt.

He grew up with siblings who shaped his life, his brother Dillon "Hank" (Donna) Smittle, and his
sisters Kathy (Allen) Pryor and Pam (Steve) Billeter. He later built a loving life with his wife,
Karen Lucile Vannoy, his partner in marriage for 57 wonderful years. Together, they raised two
children, Wes (Anne) Smittle and Robin (Thomas) Butts, who quickly learned that with Dad,
curiosity was a lifelong assignment. His pride extended to his grandchildren; Charlotte Smittle,
Margaret (Darrell) Sagun, Mattias Butts, and Tegan Butts and his great-grandchild, Rowan
Wesley Sagun, who already shows signs of inheriting Dad's snack-loving streak. Dad also adored
his gaggle of nieces and nephews, each of whom carried a special piece of his humor,
encouragement, and love.

Dad pursued learning as if it were oxygen. He earned a Bachelor's in Biology/Chemistry and a
Master's in Agricultural Bacteriology from West Virginia University (where he bled gold and
blue every day of his life), and a PhD in Food Science/Microbiology from NC State. Just to prove
that science and art are better together, he came within two credits of an Associate's in Art. He
never stopped teaching whether in classrooms at NYU, Kean College, and Lord Fairfax, or at the
dinner table, explaining why apple pie was always a sound experimental choice. His career
included time at the FDA, Best Foods, and his proud years at Silliker Laboratories Group, where
he rose to part ownership as President and collected patents along the way.

But more than degrees and patents, Dad loved the Lord, his family, and the world around him.
He fly-fished streams with a patient joy, painted and drew until no wall in any friend or
relative's home was bare, hunted rocks with the intensity of a prospector, and devoured books
and snacks with equal passion. He raised a glass of Maker's Mark or a perfectly executed
"martooni" in celebration of both small victories and great adventures. He gave his time, his
resources, and his heart generously, always nudging those he loved to follow their passions and
never stop learning.

He insisted that "it's not the destination, but the journey." For Dad, the journey included
laughter, spaghetti stains, apple pies, and more WVU gear than could possibly fit in one closet.
His love for West Virginia ran as deep as the rivers he fished, and his pride in being a
Mountaineer was matched only by his pride in his family.

He leaves behind a legacy painted on canvases, written in patent filings, baked into pies, and
etched in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at
LifePointe Alliance Church, 997 Rt. 228, Mars, PA 16046 with lunch to follow. All who knew and loved him are
warmly invited to join the family in honoring his remarkable life. Please RSVP for lunch at
trbutts@gmail.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.