In Memory Of
Richard N. Smith
1948
2020
Richard N. Smith
April 18, 1948 — March 10, 2020
On Tuesday, March 10th, 2020, Richard N. Smith passed away, at the age of 71, after being diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer at the end of 2019.
Richard was born on April 18, 1948 to Herbert and Shirley Smith in Ogdensburg, New York.
After serving in the US Navy, Richard enjoyed a career as an accomplished engineer. He received college degrees from SUNY Canton (1974), Clarkson (BS 1978), Syracuse University (MS 1983), and SUNY Utica/Rome (MS 2003) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2004, he retired, with distinction, after 30 years with the US Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, NY.
Richard lived a full life in retirement. He moved to Baldwinsville, NY where he enjoyed sailing his Catalina 22 sailboat Zephyr on Oneida Lake, taking ballroom dancing lessons, and hiking/ bird watching in nature with friends.
Music was integral part of Richard's life. From playing base guitar in the Ogdensburg band, Fools Gold, in his 20's, to joining Salt City Ukulele and SyraUke in his late 60's, music was always his second language.
Richard is survived by his 2 children, Jason Smith (Avon, Colorado) and Cassie Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio); 3 siblings, Judy Potts (Victor, New York), Maryanne Leo (Syracuse, New York), and David Smith (Horn Brook, California); 2 grandchildren, Finley and Zoe Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio); as well as the spouses, nieces, nephews, and families of those listed.
His family is planning a celebration of life event in the coming months. If you would like to attend, please email Cassie Wilson at casasmit@yahoo.com. Once event details are finalized, an email invitation will be shared with all interested.
To leave a message of condolence for Richard's family, or to share a special memory of Richard, visit the guestbook below.
Richard was born on April 18, 1948 to Herbert and Shirley Smith in Ogdensburg, New York.
After serving in the US Navy, Richard enjoyed a career as an accomplished engineer. He received college degrees from SUNY Canton (1974), Clarkson (BS 1978), Syracuse University (MS 1983), and SUNY Utica/Rome (MS 2003) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
In 2004, he retired, with distinction, after 30 years with the US Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, NY.
Richard lived a full life in retirement. He moved to Baldwinsville, NY where he enjoyed sailing his Catalina 22 sailboat Zephyr on Oneida Lake, taking ballroom dancing lessons, and hiking/ bird watching in nature with friends.
Music was integral part of Richard's life. From playing base guitar in the Ogdensburg band, Fools Gold, in his 20's, to joining Salt City Ukulele and SyraUke in his late 60's, music was always his second language.
Richard is survived by his 2 children, Jason Smith (Avon, Colorado) and Cassie Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio); 3 siblings, Judy Potts (Victor, New York), Maryanne Leo (Syracuse, New York), and David Smith (Horn Brook, California); 2 grandchildren, Finley and Zoe Wilson (Hamilton, Ohio); as well as the spouses, nieces, nephews, and families of those listed.
His family is planning a celebration of life event in the coming months. If you would like to attend, please email Cassie Wilson at casasmit@yahoo.com. Once event details are finalized, an email invitation will be shared with all interested.
To leave a message of condolence for Richard's family, or to share a special memory of Richard, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard N. Smith, please visit our flower store.
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