Richard Harold Smith

12/06/1930 – 10/04/2026

Richard H. Smith joined his wife, Dolores M. Smith, at the age of 95, on October 4, 2026.

Richard was born the second son of Harold C. and Marie J. Smith, on December 6, 1930, in Hammond, Indiana. 

Richard is survived by his three daughters, Pamela (Howard) Smith-Goldstone, Dawn (James) Smith, and Karen (Timothy) Mican; his six grandchildren, Joshua Mican, Jeremy Mican, Kelcie Goldstone, Kaitlin Goldstone, Kara Goldstone, and Nathan Pawelski; and his six great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Jackson, Hannah, Brayden, Kaylie, and Kya. 

Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dolores; his parents; and his brothers, Robert Smith, and Raymond Smith. 

Richard was a graduate of Hammond Tech High School, Class of 1949. He retired from the Inland Steel Company after 42 years of service, where he held the positions of Section Manager of Maintenance Blast Furnace and retired as a Senior Staff Engineer Small Furnace Relines. Richard was also a member of the Inland 25-Year Club. 

After retirement, Richard was employed for 18 years by Zimmerman and Jansen Company of Humble, Texas.

Richard was a Veteran of the Korean War, serving from 1952 to 1953 in the Army Signal Corps in Korea. He was a life member of the VFW Post 717 in St. John, Indiana, and the American Legion Post 485 in Schererville, Indiana, where he served as Post Commander as well as a Senior Vice Commander in the American Legion First District. 

Richard was a 50-year plus member of the Garfield Mason Lodge 569 in Highland, Indiana, and a past member of the Iron and Steel Society and the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. 

Richard was a “jack of all trades” and had his own company for some time doing duct work. It was often said he could fix anything but a broken heart. His three daughters say he was not bad at that either. 

Richard met his wife, Dolores, when she was 10 years old, and he was 12 years old. They lived three houses away from each other in Hessville, Indiana. They married in 1953 and spent 60 wonderful years building a life together. He was a lifelong Hoosier who loved his family and friends. He will be dearly missed. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date when family and friends are able to travel. His daughters will make sure everyone who wishes to attend is aware of the date, time, and place.