Richard Henry Smith, Sr.

Richard Henry Smith, Sr., 91 of Montgomery, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Smith (nee Books); devoted father of Rebecca (John) Ellis, Deborah (Warren) Ellis, Richard (Tracy) Smith, Jr., Michele (Bob) Helferich, and Elizabeth (Joseph) Prell; loving grandfather of Kristin (David) Montgomery, Sarah Smith, Andrea (Doug) Curley, Jamie Smith, Christopher (Marybeth) Schutzman, Rachael Schutzman, Alexandra (Joshua) Vergiels, Cecelia Schutzman, Richard Schutzman, Patrick Schutzman, Victoria Schutzman, Andrew Prell, Monica Prell, Anastasia Prell; great-grandfather of Raven Schutzman, Madison Schutzman, Kaelyn Schutzman, Madelyn Montgomery, and Colton Montgomery; brother of Rosarita Wake and the late Col. William R. Smith and Albert J. Smith; passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019.; passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019.

Richard started out at the General Electric Company in Evendale, OH as a Test Cell Operator in Developmental Testing. After a while, he was transferred to the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Division working in the Nuclear Controls and Instrumentation Organization. where he worked on a project that modified an existing jet engine so that the air from the outlet of the compressor was diverted into a duct that passed the air through a nuclear reactor where the air was heated and then ducted back to the engine turbine wheel and out the exhaust. Richard then was offered a job at the Boeing Company in Seattle, WA working on the Minuteman Missile program. There he was part of the Operational Ground Power Group which had the responsibility for designing the highest reliability, lowest cost emergency power that could provide enough to launch the Minuteman Missiles in the event that the commercial power was no longer available due to a nuclear strike by the enemy or other outage.  While still working for the Boeing Company, he was transferred to Huntsville, AL where he worked on Saturn V Launch vehicle, in charge of the Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) organization, and the Apollo 15 Lunar Rover Project. While in Huntsville, Boeing chose Richard to attend the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, TN where he was a Graduate Student/Research FeIIow.  His research-fellowship was in support of a NASA Headquarters Grant to investigate the management philosophies used for major NASA projects. The University of Tennessee offered him a position after obtaining his Masters in Engineering as Manager of Planning and Information services in the Energy Conversion Division.  After working and living in Tennessee for many years, he and Elizabeth moved back to the Cincinnati area in 1987.

Richard was a member of the Dayton Engineers Club.  He was also a longtime member of St. Gertrude the Great Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his dog Bailey.

Visitation will be held at Mueller Funeral Home, 6791 Tylersville Road, Mason, OH 45040 on Thursday, February 7 from 5:00 PM until Rosary at 7:30 PM. Requiem Mass will be at St. Gertrude the Great Roman Catholic Church, 4900 Rialto Road, West Chester, OH 45069 on Friday, February 8 at 11:25 AM.

To send a condolence, or to sign the online guestbook, visit Muellerfunerals.com
513-398-9100