Richard J. Smith

Richard J. Smith, 86, of Robinson, IL, died at 11:03 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Crawford Memorial Hospital, Robinson, IL. Dick or €œR. J.€ as he liked to be called was born July 15, 1925 in Saybrook, IL to John Henry Smith and Hattie Schalk Smith. Dick grew up as the youngest of 4 children and only son on the family farm. He was an outstanding athlete in both baseball and basketball. After high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corp at the age of seventeen in the Cadet Officer program. Dick was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and was trained as a bombardier/navigator on B17-aircraft. He was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force where he flew missions over France and Germany. Upon discharge from active service, Dick attended the University of Illinois where he attained his bachelor€™s and master€™s degree in agriculture education. He was a high school Ag. teacher for over 30 years with 14 years in Paris, IL and 8 years in Robinson, IL before retiring and becoming an auditor in the school lunch program for the state of Iowa when he retired at age 70. Dick also remained in the U. S. Air Force Reserves where he retired after 25 years attaining the rank of Major. He was also a seed corn inspector for Funks during the summers. He was a lifetime member of the Des Moines, Iowa American Legion.Dick was a loving and devoted family man who married his high school sweetheart Rosemary Moberly who survives. They were married for 66 years. He is also survived by 3 children, Rhea Jan (Terry) McCoy, Robinson, Mark (Linda) Smith, Chino Valley, AZ and Dane C. (Carrie) Smith, Sr., Phoenix, AZ; 6 grandchildren, Kimberly (Scott) Johnson, Champaign, John (Lisa) McCoy, Robinson, Matthew and Andy Smith, Prescott Valley, AZ, Dane Smith Jr. and Ella Brightwell, Phoenix, AZ; 2 great grandchildren, Andrew and Erica Johnson Champaign; 2 sisters, Leota Smith, Gibson City and Ruth Stevenson, Franklin, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Dorothy Hanning.Memorials may be made to the Des Moines Iowa American Legion with envelopes available at the funeral home.There will be cremation with no services. The Goodwine Funeral Home, Robinson, IL is in charge of arrangements.