Richard N. Smith, age 75, son of Charles and Violet Smith, died of prostate cancer and passed on to heavenly rest on June 16, 2021. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles II (Chick); survived by his wife, Donna Smith; his son, Dr. Christopher Smith, Ph.D; his daughter-in-law, Katherine Hetrick; his beloved grandson, Conrad Smith; and his sister, Norma Saulsbury.
Richard was a graduate of University of Delaware (B.A.). Richard was a kind, very humble, and shy man who worked hard all his lifetime with perseverance. He first worked, at age 15, for Mr. Passmore at Lynthwaite Farm Dairy as a summer job. As a young man, he picked corn and baled hay at Sharpless Farms in Concordville, PA.
He survived four bank mergers, starting his career at the former Delaware Trust Co. as a management trainee. An estate trust manager and, later on, a corporate trust officer, his profession sent him to many bond closings at the original World Trade Center in New York City. After retiring, he served as a consultant at Christiana Bank.
He was a self-made man, through dedication and his strong work ethic. He loved the Brandywine School of artists, especially Howard Pyle’s painting, “Marooned,” and Andrew Wyeth. His favorite poem was Rudyard Kipling’s “If,” for its profound message and strong values. He loved studying history, especially the American Civil War and the British Industrial Revolution.
Richard converted to the Catholic faith after his son Christopher was born, and attended St. Mary Magdalen Church in Wilmington, DE. His family background was Grace Episcopal Church, on Concord Pike, where Richard was an altar boy.
The Smith family wishes to thank Nurturing Angels Home Care and VITAS Hospice Care for their compassionate attention to Richard in his final months.
Condolences
Thank You
Your online condolence will appear once approved by our site administrator.