Richard Earl Smith

Kurt Scheckermann, Richard Smith, Dave Kampel, New York Renaissance Fair, Aug 2005

Richard Earl Smith
02 Nov 1953 - 09 Mar 1996

Clubs & Associations

Obituary

Richard Earl Smith,
42, claims manager
MORRISTOWN — Richard Earl Smith dies Saturday at home following a long illness. He was 42.

Born in Yerington, Nev., he lived in California, Oregon and Michigan before moving to Morristown four years ago.

Mr. Smith was an insurance claims manager at Chubb Life America in Parsippany for two years. Before that, he worked at John Hancock in Oregon and Michigan for 10 years.

He was a member of Church of the Redeemer in Morristown.

Survivors include two sisters, Janet L Pruewitt of Oregon and Cathryn W. Williams of Nevada.

Arrangements are by Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main St., Madison.^[1]

Remembrances

When Terry and I began square dancing in the Fall of 1992, we wondered what the experience would be like. Would we be adept at square dancing? Would the people be friendly? I remember looking across the room at P.S. 3, during our second lesson, and seeing two friendly faces, Jay McKinley and Richard Smith, of Peapack and Morristown, New Jersey, respectively. I fell in love with the two of them as time went by. Jay and Richard were both generous, fun, mischievous people. Although Terry and I certainly enjoyed square dancing, we came every week to see Jay and Richard and Anne and Joe and Danny and Rick and Steven and Brad and George and Leslie and others, in time, too numerous to mention.

Shortly after we met Richard, we learned that he had AIDS. AIDS, however, never conquered Richard. Richard possessed a commanding spirit and even if he could only dance one tip an evening he tried and did his best and gave his all. Terry and I miss Richard terribly. I wish all of you could have danced with Richard at least once. I am certain he would have touched your lives the way he touched ours.

Richard died at home at the age of 42. He had always hoped to attend the Times Squares one more time. I hope that the Times Squares will always be the type of place that people want to go to and that we all watch over each other and wish each other the best. Goodbye Richard. May your light always shine bright.
— David Kampel
President ^[2]