Richard M. Smith (“Dick”), the former DuPont employee, golfer, genealogist, father, grandfather, and avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, died Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Newark. He was 77. A descendent of Germans who settled in the Ohio valley in the early 1800’s, Dick was born on November 24, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio. He grew upContinue Reading
Richard M. Smith (“Dick”), the former DuPont employee, golfer, genealogist, father, grandfather, and avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, died Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in Newark. He was 77.
A descendent of Germans who settled in the Ohio valley in the early 1800’s, Dick was born on November 24, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up outside Columbus, in the farming community of Pickaway County. Dick was an accomplished athlete at Walnut Township High School, playing both varsity football and basketball. He attended Ohio State University, graduating with a degree in chemical engineering in 1958. Upon graduation, he began working for the DuPont Company, first in St. Louis, Missouri and then Florence, South Carolina. It was in South Carolina that Dick met his wife, Joy Summersett, a Florence native. Dick and Joy were married in 1962. They spent most of their life together in Delaware, although they also lived in Texas for 10 years and Gijon, Asturias, Spain for 2 years.
Dick enjoyed competitive athletics throughout his life. He especially enjoyed tennis and golf. He was a faithful Buckeyes fan, devouring all information about the OSU teams. He often attended home football and basketball games in Columbus, including three football games during the 2012 season. Dick was also an accomplished amateur genealogist who had worked hard to research and fill in gaps on his family origins and history.
Most importantly, Dick was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a devoted family person and a great friend to many. He will be sorely missed.
Dick is survived by wife Joy, two children David and Christine, their spouses Ann Marie Root and Victor Wiebe, and seven grandchildren, Brittany, Summersett, Joshua, Cecilia, Matthew, Callan, and Christopher. Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013, at Newark United Methodist Church, 69 E. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Seasons Hospice, c/o R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.
Ginny Versteegen
left a message on March 19, 2013:
We met Dick and Joy in Asturias, Spain where we enjoyed each others company and became fast friends. We have had many memorable adventures together- the most recent being last summer in Cashiers, North Carolina. While Joy and I painted the beautiful scenery, Jim and Dick enjoyed the golf courses. What wonderful memories we have of the evening dinners together on the porch overlooking the lake and sharing stories. We will miss Dick's quick smile and charm and feel very blessed to have shared time with him through the years! Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Joy. We love you and send our condolences. Ginny and Jim Versteegen
Ginny Versteegen
left a message on March 19, 2013:
We met Dick and Joy in Asturias, Spain where we enjoyed each others company and became fast friends. We have had many memorable adventures together- the most recent being last summer in Cashiers, North Carolina. While Joy and I painted the beautiful scenery, Jim and Dick enjoyed the golf courses. What wonderful memories we have of the evening dinners together on the porch overlooking the lake and sharing stories. We will miss Dick's quick smile and charm and feel very blessed to have shared time with him through the years! Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Joy. We love you and send our condolences. Ginny and Jim Versteegen
Mona Peters
left a message on March 18, 2013:
I first met Dick at the wedding of my son Victor to Dick's daughter Christine. He and Joy were such gracious hosts, and welcomed me into their home as well as into the family circle. Over the years I have been so thankful that Dick was close by as family support to Vic and Christine and their children. I maintained a long-distance relationship with him, mostly by email, talking about geneology, and of course the grandchildren. I was able to help him fill a few gaps in the family history, and he helped to fill in the gaps where I was missing the children's growing up. Every time I visited Newark there was Dick with his welcoming smile, and his open and fun personality. I will always remember the red satin shorts on Christmas morning, his love and pride in his family, and his cheerful outlook. He will be missed.
Sandy & Joe Corrozi
left a message on March 17, 2013:
We were so very sorry to read of Dick's passing. He was the BEST boss I ever had (Sandy). Joe and I had a long working relationship with Dick at DuPont and have many fond memories of him. Our deepest condolences to your entire family. Sandy & Joe Corrozi
tara summersett smith
left a message on March 17, 2013:
Joy, David, and Christine, I was so shocked and sad to hear about Dick. Even though we haven't been able to see y'all much in the last few years, some of my fondest memories have been times I spent with your family. I love you all and I am with you in spirit.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Franklin Seimer
left a message on March 17, 2013:
Dear Joy, it was very sad news to hear of Dick's unexpected and sudden passing. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family with the loss of your loved one. It was a pleasure to have Dick as a classmate at Walnut Twp. School. He was a real competitor in academics as well as sports. We all looked forward to him coming in for the class reunions the past several years. We will certainly miss catching up on his family news and filling him in on our families and local news as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through this very trying time and the circumstances that transpired. God Bless, Sincerely, Nancy Ott and Frank Seimer.
Barbara Meggs Williams
left a message on March 15, 2013:
Joy, my thoughts and prayers will be with you and all your family!
Ray Joye
left a message on March 15, 2013:
I never knew Richard personally, but remember seeing him and Joy at the nighttime softball games being played at the field down from Poyner Junior High. Margaret and I send our sympathy and prayer for God's strength and peace at this time.
Barbara Abu-Arab Maffett
left a message on March 15, 2013:
Joy, Sandra just called and told me of Dick's death. I am so very sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy as I understand your grief. I lost my beloved Jack 29 months ago to Pancreatic Cancer. Losing a spouse is so very hard. May God bless you and be with you in the days and months ahead as you deal with your sorrow. I have now been diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer and have opted for quality of life. If you ever come to Florence, I would so love to see you again. You are in my prayers. Barbara Maffett
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Ginny Versteegen
left a message on March 19, 2013:
We met Dick and Joy in Asturias, Spain where we enjoyed each others company and became fast friends. We have had many memorable adventures together- the most recent being last summer in Cashiers, North Carolina. While Joy and I painted the beautiful scenery, Jim and Dick enjoyed the golf courses. What wonderful memories we have of the evening dinners together on the porch overlooking the lake and sharing stories. We will miss Dick's quick smile and charm and feel very blessed to have shared time with him through the years! Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Joy. We love you and send our condolences. Ginny and Jim Versteegen
Ginny Versteegen
left a message on March 19, 2013:
We met Dick and Joy in Asturias, Spain where we enjoyed each others company and became fast friends. We have had many memorable adventures together- the most recent being last summer in Cashiers, North Carolina. While Joy and I painted the beautiful scenery, Jim and Dick enjoyed the golf courses. What wonderful memories we have of the evening dinners together on the porch overlooking the lake and sharing stories. We will miss Dick's quick smile and charm and feel very blessed to have shared time with him through the years! Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Joy. We love you and send our condolences. Ginny and Jim Versteegen
Mona Peters
left a message on March 18, 2013:
I first met Dick at the wedding of my son Victor to Dick's daughter Christine. He and Joy were such gracious hosts, and welcomed me into their home as well as into the family circle. Over the years I have been so thankful that Dick was close by as family support to Vic and Christine and their children. I maintained a long-distance relationship with him, mostly by email, talking about geneology, and of course the grandchildren. I was able to help him fill a few gaps in the family history, and he helped to fill in the gaps where I was missing the children's growing up. Every time I visited Newark there was Dick with his welcoming smile, and his open and fun personality. I will always remember the red satin shorts on Christmas morning, his love and pride in his family, and his cheerful outlook. He will be missed.
Sandy & Joe Corrozi
left a message on March 17, 2013:
We were so very sorry to read of Dick's passing. He was the BEST boss I ever had (Sandy). Joe and I had a long working relationship with Dick at DuPont and have many fond memories of him. Our deepest condolences to your entire family. Sandy & Joe Corrozi
tara summersett smith
left a message on March 17, 2013:
Joy, David, and Christine, I was so shocked and sad to hear about Dick. Even though we haven't been able to see y'all much in the last few years, some of my fondest memories have been times I spent with your family. I love you all and I am with you in spirit.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Franklin Seimer
left a message on March 17, 2013:
Dear Joy, it was very sad news to hear of Dick's unexpected and sudden passing. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family with the loss of your loved one. It was a pleasure to have Dick as a classmate at Walnut Twp. School. He was a real competitor in academics as well as sports. We all looked forward to him coming in for the class reunions the past several years. We will certainly miss catching up on his family news and filling him in on our families and local news as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all through this very trying time and the circumstances that transpired. God Bless, Sincerely, Nancy Ott and Frank Seimer.
Barbara Meggs Williams
left a message on March 15, 2013:
Joy, my thoughts and prayers will be with you and all your family!
Ray Joye
left a message on March 15, 2013:
I never knew Richard personally, but remember seeing him and Joy at the nighttime softball games being played at the field down from Poyner Junior High. Margaret and I send our sympathy and prayer for God's strength and peace at this time.
Barbara Abu-Arab Maffett
left a message on March 15, 2013:
Joy, Sandra just called and told me of Dick's death. I am so very sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy as I understand your grief. I lost my beloved Jack 29 months ago to Pancreatic Cancer. Losing a spouse is so very hard. May God bless you and be with you in the days and months ahead as you deal with your sorrow. I have now been diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer and have opted for quality of life. If you ever come to Florence, I would so love to see you again. You are in my prayers. Barbara Maffett
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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