Richard Smith - Obituary

ichard C Smith, 81, of Annapolis passed on the morning of October 31 after his year-long battle with cancer. Richard was born Aug 15, 1930 in Washington D.C. He lived most of his life in the Washington area, attending Anacostia High School. He began a 43 year career with Safeway Food Stores at the age of 14 interrupted only by his service in the Marine Corps starting in 1951. He was stationed at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. where he served in the ceremonial honor guard and marched in President Eisenhower’s inauguration. He married Frances Dittmer in 1954, graduated from American University in 1956 and began a family in the same year. His job took him and the family to England in 1963 to setup the first Safeway stores in the UK. Richard returned from the UK in 1966 to become the Safeway Distribution Center Manager where he oversaw operations for the entire mid-Atlantic region. Richard was a life-long tennis player up through the age of 80. His other interests included vacations with the family at the beach, bike riding, history and reading as well as listening to John Philip Souza. Richard is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Frances D Smith, of 56 years; his sons Steven J Smith (Sharon), Kenneth D Smith (Mary), Michael B Smith (Lorna) and Eric C Smith (Julie); his grandchildren Travis, Carly, Samantha, Michelle and Mikey; and his sister Nancy Scott. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, MD on November 4th at 2 pm. The family will receive friends immediately thereafter at the church. A private family only service will be held at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St Paul Lutheran Church at 31 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, or to Hospice of the Chesapeake at 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.For your convenience, an online guestbook is available by clicking the link in the bottom left corner of this page.