SMITH, Richard M. 1932-2005

SMITH, JEFFRIES, ERBE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/11/2015 at 08:17:05

Richard Manly Smith, 73, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Thursday, November 24, 2005, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, from complications and injuries sustained as a result of an automobile accident on November 7th. Memorial services will be 11:30 A.M., Monday, November 28, 2005, at First Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center, Iowa, with Pastor Daniel C. Graham officiating. Private family interment will occur on Monday morning prior to the memorial service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center, with full military rites provided by the Grundy Center American Legion Post #349 and AMVETS Post #17. Visitation will be Sunday, November 27, 2005, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church and the National Parkinson's Foundation.

Richard was born September 6, 1932, in Ames, Iowa, the son of Manly John and Marguerite (Jeffries) Smith. At the age of five, Richard and his family moved to Grundy Center, and he received his education there, graduating from Grundy Center High School in 1950. Richard then attended Northwestern University, graduating in 1954. From 1954-1956, Richard served his country as a member of the United States Army. From there, he attended Drake University, graduating in 1959, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy. On January 24, 1965, Richard was united in marriage to Barbara L. Erbe in Boone, Iowa. After their marriage, the couple made Grundy Center their home. Richard was a longtime owner of the Manly Drug Store in Grundy Center. Over the years he was involved in many development efforts in the community, including speculative homes, multiple housing units, a residential subdivision and mobile home park. He took a leadership role on many boards and commissions. Richard was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center, where he served as ruling elder, a member of the chancel choir, and was also involved in long range planning. He was a member of the Center Theater Board of Directors, the Grundy Center Community Center Commission, the Grundy Center Rotary Club, where he had served as past president and assistant district governor. Richard was also a member of the Grundy Center Ambassadors, and also the Grundy Center American Legion Post #349. Since his retirement in 1999, Richard had several of his most productive years despite the challenges he faced due to Parkinson's and coronary artery diseases. He built the AmericInn Motel and Suites of Grundy Center and was the managing partner of the AmericInns of Iowa Falls and Webster City. Most recently he was the developer of the Grundy County Welcome Center. Together with his wife, his partner in life and business, he operated 'As You Like It' Hallmark Shop in Iowa Falls and Fashion Express ladies apparel store in Grundy Center. Richard was honored by AmericInn International as Innkeeper of the year in 2001 and by Hallmark Cards on four occasions as recipient of the coveted Retail Excellence award accorded to the top 200 stores in the country. He was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and Outstanding Senior Presbyterian in 2003.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Smith of Grundy Center, Iowa; one daughter Janet Smith Kelleher and her husband Dan of Frisco, Texas; one son Richard Manly Smith II (Rick) of Frisco, Texas; four grandchildren Katherine Louise Kelleher, Emily Barbara Kelleher, Sarah Marguerite Kelleher, and Daniel Richard Kelleher; and his mother-in-law Ednamay Erbe of Boone, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents Manly and Marguerite Smith.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)