Richard L. Smith
Richard L. Smith
Richard L. Smith left this earth Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Born in Gowanda, NY on April 6, 1935, to Donald and Hazel Meyers Smith, he was 90 years old. Loving husband of Carol Yaw Smith for 69 years. Together they raised four children, Susan (Michael), Thomas (Cindy), Jeffrey (Terri) and David (Jacqueline), who blessed them with a dozen grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
Rich was a hard worker from the start, beginning as a paperboy and later working on then cutting edge of data processing for up and coming companies like AMF, IBM and Univac. Together, he and Carol owned and operated Pine Lanes bowling alley in South Dayton, NY and managed Tri-County Country Club in Forestville, NY, before retiring to Lakeland, Florida. He then played around with several fun jobs that incorporated his love of stamp and coin collecting among other interesting odd jobs.
Richard found his real calling later in life when he started tutoring and mentoring young adults, enabling them to obtain their GED diploma as well as helping them with basic financial and job acquiring skills.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Shirley Smith Wing and a great granddaughter Hazel Batzer.
The family will gather next summer for burial in Cottage NY.