Richard Sears Smith

On Tuesday evening, March 15, 2016, Richard “Dick” Sears Smith, 95, passed unexpectedly from this earthly life at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, CA, surrounded by family.

Dick was born February 20, 1921, in the rural town of Fennimore, WI, the son of Rudolph and Edith (Sears) Smith. As a boy, Dick sang in the Methodist Church choir, played clarinet in the high school band, and spent summers working on his father’s dairy farm.

After graduating at age 17, Dick moved to Madison where he worked as a hotel night clerk while attending the University of Wisconsin by day. He played both offense and defense for the Badgers football team; but in 1942, with WWII well underway, Dick enlisted in the Marine Corps where he was trained in radio and radar maintenance and in servicing electronic equipment on planes. He spent a year stationed on Midway Island, before finishing his 4 ½ years of service as a Master Tech Sergeant.

After the war, Dick moved to Chicago, IL to attend electronics school. In 1946 he was hired by Sola Electric Company to be a salesman for their transformers. Later that year, a friend arranged for Dick to go on a blind date with Louise Lewis of Chicago. 1 ½ years later, Dick and Louise were married on May 1, 1948.

In 1950 Dick was chosen by Sola Electric to open a new office in Cleveland, OH. The family spent 3 years there before moving to California in 1953 where Dick opened a Los Angeles branch of Sola Electric. Later he started his own company, Impact Electronics.

Dick was a devoted family man with a big laugh and a bigger heart; and he and Louise enjoyed life with their 4 daughters in their home in Burbank, CA. Through the years they also made many lifelong friends and created unforgettable memories while camping, beachcombing, collecting rocks, enjoying sports, playing bridge, hosting parties and family reunions, traveling, and cruising. Dick was also an accomplished wood carver, winning many awards for his craftsmanship.

Following his retirement and move to Oceanside, CA in 1987, Dick volunteered for many years at Tri-City Medical Center. He also enjoyed participating in various clubs and activities of the Ocean Hills community where he lived.

Dick is survived by his wife, Louise, of Oceanside, and by 4 daughters: Kim (Ray) Brewer, Columbia, MO; Holly (Irv) Golden, Burbank, CA; Lisa (Steve) Pittman, Washington, DC; and Maureen (Scott) Russell, Ayr, Scotland. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren: Brandon (Emily) Brewer, Columbia, MO; Jason (Faith) Brewer, Springfield, MO; Estee Pittman, Vista, CA; Arianna Pittman, McLean, VA; and Rory Russell, Ayr, Scotland. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister, Betty, and his brother, John.

A private family memorial is pending, with arrangements under the direction of Eternal Hills Memorial Park Mortuary, Oceanside, CA. Condolences may be shared with the family through the mortuary’s online guest book.