Richard J. Smith
Richard “Rich” “Rick” “Dick” Jerome Smith, aged 71, was a devoted husband and father, loving son and brother, steadfast friend to many. He left this world on April 22, 2022, after a valiant battle with lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. He so loved the life he had built that he did not want to leave behind his wife of 49 years, Kathleen, his daughter Stacy, his four sons Nathan (Kristin), Geoffrey (Dawne), Josef (Gwen), and Adam, or his five grandchildren Riley, Sophia, Kyler, Morgen, and Madison.
As the oldest of five children, Rick was born on October 8, 1950 to parents Ann and Gurney Smith of Binghamton NY. Soon to follow were siblings James, Patricia, Vincent, and Christine. Rick’s family suffered the sudden loss of his brother Vincent in 2021.
Rick attended Binghamton North High School and continued his education at SUNY Delhi University for engineering and construction technology. He had an impressive career in the construction project management field that spanned more than 40 years, resulting in buildings easily identifiable in the Philadelphia landscape – the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the CoreStates (now Wells Fargo) Arena, the University of Pennsylvania Law Library, the Wharton Business School, numerous projects for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, among many others, leaving his mark on the city and the many colleagues he mentored throughout his career.
At the end of his grueling work weeks, Rick would treat himself to a cigar on Friday’s drive home, enjoying the golden oldies as he drove. Once home, he would scoop up his wife Kathleen for a kiss, he was always so happy to see her. At the dinner table, Rick would entertain his family with stories from his work and from the newspaper he read every day, sharing his lifelong sense of curiosity about the world. The family’s Richboro home was a gathering place for the Smith children and their friends over the years and remains a central location for making happy memories to this day. After their children were grown and out of the house, Rick and Kathleen would enjoy Friday happy hours on their front porch. He was an excellent mixologist, but a terrible cook, except for popcorn.
A principled and perceptive man, Rick would tell you the truth as he saw it, whether or not you wished to hear it. His values and insight live on in his children and grandchildren, and his beautiful love story with his wife Kathleen warmed all who witnessed it. A giant of a man in many ways, Rick will be fiercely missed by all whose lives he touched.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family Friday, April 29, 2022 from 10:30 am until the funeral mass at 11:30 am at St. Vincent DePaul Church, 654 Hatboro Road, Richboro, PA. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Richboro.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/ .
Morning Visitation
Friday, April 29th, 2022
10:30 AM - 11:30 AMSt. Vincent de Paul Church
654 Hatboro Road
Richboro, PA 18954Service
Friday, April 29th, 2022
11:30 AMSt. Vincent de Paul Church
654 Hatboro Road
Richboro, PA 18954