Richard W. Smith

Boise, Idaho— Richard William Smith, age 81, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Live Stream Please click link below https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/72661773 Richard was born on April 23, 1939 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Raymond and Elizabeth Smith. He was the first of eight children to be born to the Smith’s and he was the apple of his mother’s eye. He was raised around the Ogden, Utah area where he attended Weber County schools. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed telling stories of being a young man sitting in the yard of the home of President David O. McKay in Huntsville, Utah to hear him speak. Richard also served honorably in the United States Navy. Richard married Jennifer Hobson and moved to Boise, Idaho in 1965. They were later divorced. Together they had two daughters to whom he was fiercely loyal. Richard married Linda Fox on July 2, 1973. Together they lived in the same home in Boise for over 50 years using only one phone number during that time. Gratitude for her love and devotion cannot be adequately expressed. Richard had a knack for making conversation with anyone he met. Whether it was with a friend, family member, or a total stranger off the street, it didn’t matter. Richard could talk to anyone. A lot. But because of his skill at making conversation, he made many friends. Some of the stories he told were true; others, not so much. The trick was trying to figure out the difference. Richard loved to build just about anything. The quality of his work and attention to detail are well-known. He was always quick to help with projects around the houses of his children, other family members, neighbors, and friends. His finished projects have left many lasting memories behind for his family. Richard enjoyed living life to its fullest. Whether it was building a cabin with his dad, riding motorcycles, restoring old cars, raising various farm animals, golfing, or collecting Hot Wheels, Richard rarely let the dust settle around him. He never turned down a chance to go golfing with his children and/or grandchildren. Richard could always be counted on to be the photographer at any family gatherings, sporting events, and vacations, etc. He took great pleasure in organizing hundreds, if not thousands of rolls of film and later digital photographs. He treasured the memories. He was also known for enlarging and displaying many of his favorite photographs throughout their home—sometimes in picture frames of his own making. Copies of photographs he had taken were frequently given to family members. It has always been a favorite pastime for visiting family to wander throughout their home and relive memories captured in his many photographs. In 1996, Richard’s life became complete with the arrival of the first of five grandchildren—or his “little miracles” as he loved to call them. Richard spent the rest of his life devoted to them. His love for his grandchildren really softened him around the edges. He and Linda attended countless baseball games, golf tournaments, graduations, etc., rarely missing an opportunity to attend. Those events occasionally even took them across the Western United States. Richard was larger than life in many ways. He had a heart of gold and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dean Smith, and his sister MaryLou Depue (Dennis) of Bellevue, WA. He is survived by his wife Linda of Boise, ID; siblings Carolyn Jacobs (Dennis) of Centerville, UT, Julie McKinstry (Robert) of Syracuse, UT, Robert Smith (Kathleen) of Evanston, WY, Becky Youngberg (Randy-deceased) of Logan, UT, and Joel Smith (Kim) of College Station, TX; daughters Angela Owen (Darrell) of North Ogden, UT and Melissa Clapp (Ron) of Caldwell, ID; 5 grandchildren - Gunnar Clapp, Drew Clapp, Lucas Clapp, Camille Owen, and Jacob Owen. A service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday August 8, 2020 at Summer’s Mortuary at 3629 E. Ustick, Meridian, ID, 83651 with Pastor Ron Clapp Senior officiating. Please observe social distancing guidelines and wear a mask in consideration of those who may be attending. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the City of Nampa/Centennial Golf Course, P.O. Box 411, 3rd Street, South Nampa, ID, 83651, Attn: Doug Racine for a memorial in Richard’s name. Live Stream Please click link below https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/72661773