Richard O. Smith

Richard Orlinn Smith, 82, Topeka, formerly of Marysville, died Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Stormont Vail in Topeka. A private graveside funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Marysville City Cemetery. Richard was born August 7, 1938, at Concordia, KS, to Earl and Gladys (Henderson) Smith. He graduated from Concordia High School where he played football, basketball and track. After high school, he graduated from Kansas Wesleyan College in Salina, where he also participated in football and track. On August 17, 1960, Richard was united in marriage to Nancy Gale at Concordia. They were blessed with three children, Richard, Pamela and Robert. In 1965, he began teaching science at Marysville School District 364. He coached basketball and track. Richard thoroughly enjoyed clerking track meets for Marysville, other school districts, and the Jolly Jogathon. Richard served as the city summer recreation program director for four summers. In 2017, they moved to Topeka. He enjoyed fishing and teaching his nieces and grandchildren to fish and subjecting his children and grandchildren to exceptionally long explanations, even when he really didn’t know the answer. Family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with friends and family at their cabin in Colorado. On the trips to Colorado, Richard would always pick-up rocks and move them and say, “The Lord never put them in the right place”. Each year he would have a tomato growing contest with his daughter. Preceding him in death were his parents; and granddaughter, Lydia Clark. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nancy; sons, Richard Smith, Topeka, Robert (Janelle) Smith, Henderson, TX; daughter, Pamela (Brad) Clark, Meriden; brother, Paul (Patty) Smith, Washington, KS; three grandchildren, Tanner Clark, Marissa Maines and Julia Smith; and six great grandchildren. A memorial fund has been designated to Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka, KS. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard O. Smith, please visit our flower store.