Richard Louis Smith passed away on September 21, 2026, in Forsyth, Missouri. Richard was born in Primghar, Iowa on June 27, 1949, the son of Wesley and Rita (Schallau) Smith who both preceded him in death.
Richard lived on the family farm until 1956 when the family moved to Ames, Iowa, to go into the motel business. He attended elementary school in Ames, Iowa before the family moved to Storm Lake, Iowa. He attended school in Storm Lake, Iowa before finishing his education in Pipestone, Minnesota.
After high school Richard moved back to Ames, Iowa, to work different jobs. While working in Ames, Iowa, he met and married Barbara Johnson on November 27, 1982. They had celebrated twenty-six years together before her passing on December 1, 2008. They returned to Storm Lake, Iowa, for a few years while Richard worked for his brother Bill and sister-in-law Joye. In 1990 the couple moved to Forsyth, Missouri. Richard finished his career working at the Lodge of the Ozarks, which he dearly loved.
Richard is survived by his 3 daughters; Candy, Kelly, and Kathy. His grandchildren; Jacob, Andrew, Katy, Dalton, and Brado, great grandchildren; Elizabeth, Oliver, and Aiden. Siblings, Lennie Thompson of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, Wesley (Shirley) Smith of Story Lake, Iowa, Sue Smith of Remsen, Iowa, Nancy Smith of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bill (Joyce) Smith of Storm Lake, Iowa, Mary (Jack) Kennedy of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara, brother John (Karen) Smith, sister Rose (Pat) Rush, and brother-in-law Harold Thompson.
Celebration of life will be held Friday Oct. 9, 2026, 10:00 AM at Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, Forsyth, Mo. Burial will be held at a later date in Primghar, Iowa.
