Richard Smith

Richard “Dick” A. Smith, 72, of Merriman, Nebraska, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. A celebration of life will be held this spring in Merriman, NE.

 Richard was born on October 27, 1952, to Curtiss N. and Goldie G. (Huckins) Smith in Rushville, Nebraska. He was the third of four children, joining brothers James (“Jim”) and Robert (“Bob”) and sister Janice (“Sis”).

Richard spent his early years in various homes across the Sandhills of Sheridan and Cherry counties. He began his education in rural schools before attending Hay Springs and Merriman Public Schools.

 In 1971, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving for two years during the Vietnam War as a Power Plant Operator. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his service.

 After returning home, Richard met and later married his former wife Terry Puchner (Smith-Engell) in 1983. Together, they had two children, Cassy and Jacob. The family relocated from Rushville to Cambridge, Nebraska, where Richard worked as a small engine mechanic. In the mid-1990s, following the passing of his mother, Richard moved back to Chadron to care for his father.

 Richard had a deep passion for firearms and a wealth of knowledge on the subject. He enjoyed collecting guns and sharing stories about his latest discoveries. His love for the outdoors was equally strong, and he spent countless hours hunting and fishing. Richard also had a lifelong fascination with model airplanes; he took great pleasure in building remote-controlled planes from scratch and found great pride in showcasing his creations with impressive aerial maneuvers.

 Richard is survived by his daughter, Cassy (Jason) & grandchildren Madilyn, Jaxson, and Grace, of Baldwin City, Kansas; his son, Jacob (Kelly) & grandchildren Caden and Sutton, of Fort Collins, Colorado; his brother, Jim (Coffey), of Bridgeport, Nebraska; his sister, Jan Bruhn of Hemingford, Nebraska; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends that he considered family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtiss and Goldie as well as his brother, Bob.

 Richard’s gift of striking up a conversation with everyone he met and his witty sense of humor will be sorely missed.