Richard L. Smith

GREENFIELD – Richard Leslie Smith, age 90, of Greenfield, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025 peacefully at his home. He was born in Sterling, Michigan on January 10, 1935 to Stanley Leonard and Carrie Hazel (Ganzel) Smith. He graduated from Cass Technical Institute High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1953. Richard received his Mechanical Engineering Degree from Lawrence Institute of Technology in 1956 and received his Electrical Degree in 1960. He furthered his education at the University of Detroit and obtained his MBA in 1972. He married his love and best friend, Rita Jean Farris, on April 5, 1988 in Dandridge, Tennessee. Richard spent over two decades working in management at Ford Motor Company in Livonia, Michigan until his retirement in 1992. He was a longtime member of Brandywine Community Church, and he loved his church family. He was a proud board member of Architects Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and honored to be a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Association. Richard was very handy and loved working on and rebuilding cars. He was able to repair any kind of mechanical device, and he loved it when he could help his friends and family with any repair or research task. Richard loved to teach and impart his knowledge; this was always something that gave him a great sense of satisfaction and pleasure. He also had a gift for music and enjoyed playing the guitar. Richard enjoyed many happy years of traveling the country and world with his wife Rita along with their two dogs and two cats. He is survived by his wife, Rita Smith; children, Steve (Sandra) Smith, Dennis (Cindy) Smith, Andre (Jackie) Smith, Gregory Smith, Terri (Rob) Smith, and daughter-in-law, Christina Lee; fourteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Matt Goldberg, Clarence Ebert, and Sue Lowery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Carrie Smith; son, Mark Lee; father-in-law, Claude Richmond; and mother-in-law, Leona Richmond. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Pastor Paul Galbraith will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either by mail to Brandywine Community Church at Attn: Joan Wilson, 1511 E. New Rd., Greenfield, IN 46140 (https://brandywinechurch.org) or to any animal charity of your choice. Envelopes for donations will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Richard L. Smith

January 10, 1935 - April 10, 2025