Richard "Dick" "Smitty" Smith

Richard R. “Dick” “Smitty” Smith, 84 years old, passed away on December 13, 2025, at his home in Cedar Falls, IA, surrounded by family. Dick was born on September 11, 1941, in Greene, IA, to Russell and Joselene (Heyenga) Smith and was the oldest of seven children. He attended Hansell High School, where he starred in school plays and excelled on the baseball team, even earning a baseball scholarship to Ellsworth Community College after his graduation in 1959. In 1962, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Karen Vye, and together they had two daughters. Though they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends. He later married Debbie Heinze in 1980, with whom he had a daughter and son, and they were married for his remaining forty-five years. After college, Dick worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) of Bremer County. He later worked as an insurance salesman for John Hancock and was honored with their Man of the Year Award in 1966. In 1973, he began his almost thirty-year career with John Deere, working as a machinist. He was active in the UAW and was a union steward. In 2001, he retired from John Deere on his sixtieth birthday. Dick had a great appreciation for music. His father taught him to play the guitar when he was young, and he had a talent for playing piano by ear. He continued his love of sports by playing in rec softball leagues and rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Indianapolis Colts, and his all-time favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was active in his community by serving as an usher for First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls, where he was a member for over fifty years. He could often be found listening to public radio or watching reruns of Gunsmoke over a cup of coffee. Most of all, Dick was an incredible family man. As a young man, he visited his parents every Sunday and later was committed to caring for his mother in her old age, visiting her every day for lunch. After having kids, he loved scenic family road trips out west and camping. He was a beloved grandpa to his grandchildren and “papa” to his great-grandchildren. His farm became the hub for family events, where he and his wife Debbie hosted frequent bonfires, cookouts, volleyball games, Super Bowl watch parties, as well as holiday gatherings from Christmas to Father’s Day. Later in life, he could be found at Village Inn every week with an open invitation to join him for breakfast and a slice of pie. For Dick, nothing was as important as his love for his family. Dick is survived by his wife, Debbie of Cedar Falls; three daughters: Joleyne (Barry) Kramer of Hudson, Lori (Trent) Hill of Cedar Falls, and Elizabeth (Patrick) Warriner of Cedar Falls; and a son, Matthew (Jessica) Smith of Cedar Falls. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Tyler (Hanna) Hill, Alex Hill, Brandon (Baylea) Hill, John Kramer, Jaimie (Drew) Motl, Dane Hertel, and Hayden Smith; five great-grandchildren: Vincent, Logan, Viviann, Penelope, and Brooks, as well as a great-granddaughter on the way; and his six siblings: Chuck (Kathy) Smith, Ron (Arden) Smith, Jim (Linda) Smith, Joe (Peggy) Smith, Carl (Connie) Smith, and Pat (Ron) Bock. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to the UnityPoint hospice team for their compassionate care for Dick: Sydney, Stephanie, Melanie, Tori, and Lucy. Funeral services will be 11:00am Friday, December 19, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Richardson Funeral Service and also one hour prior to the service at church. Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or UnityPoint Hospice.

Richard "Dick" "Smitty" Smith

September 11, 1941 - December 13, 2025