Richard Smith

Richard McRee Smith, age 90, passed away on June 7, 2025, in Lodi, Wisconsin. He was born on April 28, 1935, to Elsie Katherine and Everette McRee Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The family did a lot of traveling before settling in Oconto, Wisconsin where he spent most of his high school years before moving to Milwaukee.

One of Dick’s first loves was music and being taught to play piano by his grandmother. His first song was Maple Leaf Rag. He also played the harmonica and was part of a quartet on live radio every Saturday in Milwaukee his senior year.

Always a hard worker, he shoveled driveways every winter and during his senior year he was an usher at a movie theater. After high school he trimmed trees throughout the Milwaukee area. In 1957, he joined the Air Force, when ordered his bride, Virginia Lee accompanied him. They then had their son, Steven Lee Smith.

After his discharge, he went into the printing business creating business forms until his retirement at age 83. After his divorce in 1976, Dick and Steve moved to the Madison area. Shortly after, he joined the Wisconsin Army National Guards helicopter unit, The 53 Aviation Company and flew as an observer until his retirement in 2005 as a Command Sergeant Major. His guard days as a weekend warrior were his happiest.

Shortly after joining the Guard, he met the love of his life, Dianne Johnston, they married in 1984 in a little chapel in Lake Tahoe, NV. They shared a love of music, live performances, movies, and get togethers with family and friends. They were married 41 years.

Dick was the life of the party, with endless jokes and wild stories. He spent his last years in memory care at Our House in Lodi, WI.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sister Delores; brother Don; and many good friends. He leaves behind his wife, Dianne; son Steve; brother Bob; nieces Kathy, Lorie, Lucy, and Linda as well as loving nieces and nephews and dozens of lifelong friends. He is missed and will always remain in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.