Richard
Smith, age 73, of Aiken, S.C., loving husband of Brenda Noel-Smith
and son of the late Herbert A. Smith, Jr. and the late Betty Hunt
Smith, unexpectedly entered into rest at his residence on Oct. 10,
2019. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Donovan
(Michelle) Smith; a daughter, Dana Smith (Jason) Noble; sisters
Carolyn Smith (Thomas) Maffett and Margaret Smith Lewis; five grandchildren
and many nieces and nephews. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., to
a military family. As a result, he spent much of his childhood traveling
around the world. He has spent the last 18 years in Aiken County,
S.C. He was a strong Christian of the Baptist faith.
He was a retired U.S. Air Force pilot with more than 20 years of
service to his country. He served in the Vietnam War flying a C-130
aircraft. Service awards include the Air Medal, with three oak leaf
clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal, with one oak leaf cluster;
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; AF Longevity Service Ribbon,
with four oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Air
Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Gallantry
Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following
U.S. Air Force retirement, he flew 747 commercial cargo for Atlas
Air.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was always loved
by his family and friends. A man of his stellar caliber shall be
greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. We are thankful
for the 73 precious years that God granted him on this earth. Death
is not the end for Richard, as he shall live on forever in heaven
and the hearts of the many who loved him. (His Loving Family)
Moody
70-01 Bio
College: USAFA 1968, BS - Political Science, International Affairs
Valdosta St College 1976, MA - History
Military Career: 1968-1969 Moody; 1969-1971: CCK Taiwan CP C-130s:
flew rotations into SVN and Thailand 197l-1976 Moody AFB: T-37 IP
(including Bootstap for Masters degree); 1976-1979: MacDill AFB:
Rated supplement as Weapons Controller in 729 TCS, ended tour as
Chief Stan/Eval; 1979-1984: T-38 IP, Columbus AFB; ended tour as
Chief of Academics: 1984-1988, Tinker AFB: Mission Commander E3A
(thanks to earlier tour as weapons controller), ended tour dual
qualified as MC and NORAD Battle commander. Retired 1988
Civilian Career: 1989: short time as manager, Ryan's Family Steakhouse;
1989-1998 Southern Air Transport, FO/CA L100 (civilian C-130). Flew
all over the world with lots of flying in Africa mostly food relief
for various international organizations, challenging and rewarding
at times - Earlier AF C-130 training very beneficial for remote,
unimproved short field work. SAT bankrupt in 1998. 1999 - 2006 Atlas
Air, FO B-747. Good airplane, miss the flying but not the life style
- Lost FAA medical 2006.
Retirement activities: grandchildren, helping wife in her real estate
work taking care of a 17O+ year old colonial home.