Richard Smith

Dick passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family. Dick was born in Prosser WA April 11, 1938, to Chester Ray Smith and Agnes L. (Kuest) Smith. At the age of six months, the family moved to Entiat, WA. After moving several times in the Entiat River valley, they settled in a home on the Columbia River next to the old Entiat ferry. Dick graduated from Entiat High School in 1956. From there, he went on to WSU for a year. He then joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving for four years in the New York area. Upon completing his service, he worked in Portland, Oregon, for Western Electric. A year later, he went back to college at Yakima Valley Junior College for two years and then on to WSU, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Horticulture. In the summer of 1966, he went to work for H.R. Spinner Co. as a fieldman. From there, he worked at Columbia River Orchards for one year. Then he joined Pennwalt Corp. as a manufacturer’s representative selling a line of agricultural chemicals. In 1974, he married Janie Merriman. Janie had two girls, Devan & Jeannine. They soon were adopted by Dick. They lived in Wenatchee for two years and then moved on to Yakima for two years. They then moved to Yuba City California in 1978, still working for Pennwalt Corp. Dick covered several states as a manufactures rep. In 1992 Dick moved back to Wenatchee still working for the same company. In 2000, he lost Janie to brain cancer. The next year, he retired early after working for Pennwalt for 31 years. In 2004, he married Connie Saracino. Connie had two adult children, Tony Buak and Nicole Buak. Dick and Connie traveled extensively and had some wonderful adventures. Dick loved boating, fishing, camping and woodworking and was a great handyman. He could fix and repair almost anything. But foremost, he was a devout Christian who loved the lord and his family. He was a loyal and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Dick was quiet and easy going but had a stubborn streak. Between Dick and Connie, they had eight grandchildren, 4 boys: Schonn, Keyes, Michael and Colt and 4 girls: Taylor, Perrie, Kendal, and Emily and 8 great-grandchildren plus two more on the way. His service will be held May 20th, 2025, at 11:00 am at Chapel of the Valley, 378 Eastmont Ave., East Wenatchee, followed by a burial at Wenatchee Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 2 PM held at Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He was very much loved and will truly be missed. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Richard Smith

April 11, 1938 - May 13, 2025