Hollister resident Rev. Richard W. Smith died Tuesday, Dec. 23,
at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in San Jose. He was 72.
Rev. Richard W. Smith
Hollister resident Rev. Richard W. Smith died Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in San Jose. He was 72.
Smith moved to the county in 1989 from Crescent City. He graduated from San Francisco State University and earned a master’s degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.
He is a member of SIRS, a former member of the Crescent City Rotary Club and the United Methodist Men. He loved camping, hiking, fishing and sailing – many trips spent on the San Francisco Bay.
Smith built model airplanes and model boats. He also loved square dancing and called for square dances. As a young man, Smith played semi-pro football in the Sacramento area as a running back. His love of music included symphony, classical and Willie Nelson. He also worked for the CDF in the Sierras and was a volunteer with the Department of Fish and Game on the Northern California coast.
Prior to his work spent in the ministry, Smith worked for Kodak as a display designer. He was part of a team that developed photo-op areas for Olympic venues and sight-seeing areas. He was also an accomplished photographer.
During his ministry, Smith taught classes for various community colleges on stress reduction and death and dying. He volunteered as a chaplain at Watsonville Community Hospital and Hazel Hawkins Hospital while living in both communities. He pastored at the United Methodist Churches in Boyes Hot Springs, Discovery Bay, Auburn, Crescent City and the Hollister United Methodist Church where he retired.
After retirement, Smith continued to pastor in Freedom, Watsonville, Greenfield and Soledad.
Smith is survived by his wife, Linda G. Smith of Hollister; and children Jillian and Sarah Morris of Hollister, Lesley Billigmeier of Linden, Shelley Carlton of Marysville, Cindy Tuttle of Sacramento, and Richard Smith Jr. of Roseville. He is also survived by many grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
As per his wishes, arrangements have been made for private cremation at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Crematory. Private inurnment has been held.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. A reception will immediately follow at the church.
Donations are preferred to the Richard W. Smith Scholarship Fund for his daughters Jillian and Sarah, c/o the Community Bank of Hollister.
