Richard Allen Smith

Reverend Richard Allen Smith, 77, passed away Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Mountain Ridge. Richard battled Parkinson''s Plus disease for four years and died peacefully surrounded by family.

Richard was born August 25, 1929 in Marietta, Ohio, son of Joseph and Clara Bell Stephan Smith. He was raised in McConnelsville, Ohio, where he graduated from Malta-McConnelsville High in 1947. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in education with a minor in music from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He then served during the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force as First Lieutenant in Newfoundland, Canada as an F-89 radar observer. His music talent enabled him to play Taps on the bugle and form a singing quartet of servicemen. During his military service he received the call from God to pursue his Masters in Theology from McCormick Seminary in Chicago.

Richard became the Pastor of the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bremen, Ohio for 30 years. On January 25, 1965, Richard was united in marriage to Marilyn Hedrick in Bremen, Ohio where they settled down and raised their children, Brentley and Bronda. During his life in Ohio, he served many Vacation Bible Schools, was the Chaplain of Lancaster Fairfield Hospital and Homestead Nursing Home, and served the Synod of Ohio. He also served as Pastor of the Fairmoor and McNair Presbyterian Churches and preached at multiple other churches.

Richard dedicated his life to serving others; director and counselor at Geneva Hills Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center for over 30 years, volunteer fireman in Bremen, Ohio, delivering Meals on Wheels for over 35 years, organized Inner City Church Outreach programs in Chicago, Cleveland, and Columbus, and was a member of the Westminster Foundation and Seratoma club.

Richard sang in the Columbus Symphony Chorus, Lancaster Chorale, and Choral Union Chorus to name a few. He was gifted in music and loved singing and listening to music every chance he could, and also played the trumpet, the french horn, and served as a choir director for church.

Richard loved to hike, swim, camp, and canoe, and especially loved spending time with his family in the mountains.

Surviving is his brother, James E. Smith, McConnelsville, Ohio.

Also surviving are son Brentley Ray Smith, Auckland, New Zealand; daughter, Bronda Annelle (Mark) Kaschmitter, Ogden; and two grandchildren, Luke (5) and Elizabeth (3) Kaschmitter.

Richard lived in South Ogden for the past 2 years to be near his family.

Preceding Richard in death was his wife Marilyn, his sister Mary Weinberg, and his parents.

Memorial services will be held Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Ogden, 880 a€" 28th Street with Reverend Dr. Richard Minnich officiating. Prior to the Memorial Service family will meet friends for a celebration of life at the church on Monday from 6:30 a€" 7:30 p.m.

Inurnment, Lithopolis, Ohio Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund or VistaCare Hospice Foundation.