I met Dudley in 1970.  I never had so much fun in all my life.  Dudley was so talented and funny.  He was very smart and could talk about all subjects.  He had a huge circle of friends and he always took the time to say hello to everyone. I will always remember you Dudley.  Love Diane Matthewson

I met Dudley in 1975 when he was at Univ. Northern Colorado and teaching I think at "Last Chance" out on the plains.  A nice man with a nice family.  My sympathies.

RIP  Dudley.  Condolences to all the family.  We have lost a very dear friend.   His love of dancing was contagious and his smile was forever lit up!  You will be missed Dudley!  VFW and the Elks won't be the same without you.

I met Dudley while flying ultralights.  Everyone knew Dudley because Dudley took time to meet and visit with everyone.  He was always happy, a gentle soul and caring of others.  

I was so sorry to hear the news from Norm and Rose Nichols, who stay close in touch with the Smith's.  

My heartfelt condolences to Darlene and family.

Dudley,
Just heard the news today. RIP my friend. You've always brought joy , laughter and smiles where ever you go. You so loved to dance , you were all over visiting with friends.
I'll see you later. HUGS XO

I became a friend of Dudley's as he was a member of the credit union, it was always a pleasure helping him.  Always smiling, sharing his jokes with me, sharing the dance stories of him and Darlene.  Asking for 20 ones, 2 fives, 1 ten and rest in 20's.  He will be dearly missed.  Sondra Richards (Homeland, CA)

I was fortuate to have know Dudley back in the 80's and early 90's when we both flew ultralight aircraft. He was an instructor at that time and many flyers learned from him. Him and a Friend of his whose name I can't recall visited with my Wife and I about two years ago. Fun to recall the "old days of flying together". He will be a plesent part of my memories for the rest of my life. Blue Skies always Dudley.   Norman Nichols

I only got to know Dudley this past winter, but we became good friends. I loved listening to him telling me about his early life. He is sadly missed by Leticia and myself.

DUDLEY WAS A VERY KIND GENTLEMAN.  I KNEW HIM FROM MY JOB AT A CREDIT UNION.  HE ALWAYS REMEMBERED MY NAME AND HAD A KIND WORD.  HE TALKED ABOUT HIS DANCING ALL THE TIME.  HIS WIFE DARLENE IS ALSO A VERY SPECIAL PERSON.  HE WILL BE MISSED.

i was blessed to be able to call him my grandpa i"ll never forget our special times together feeding the ducks and watching the airplanes together there was never a dull moment when i was with you i love you so much and miss you so much


                 LOVE YOUR GRANDAUGHTER

We came to know Dudley through many different ways; his smile, his passion for dance, his love of music, and his pleasant personality. He will always be cherished. I was happy to share a few moments with him at the hospital, but his presence will always be heartfelt.

Dudley was a very bright scientist, into gliding holding a world record for altitude.  That achievement was enabled by his high frequency hearing - he could hear bats in the evening which allowed him to tune the controls of gliders to achieve the best lift in that the frequencies of bats and wind over the wings was in the same ultra high sound spectrum.  He was most helpful to me as we pursued our doctorates at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.  He returned to Riverside and I do hope had a great career teaching science in that he had so much practical knowledge to share.  As the rush for natural gas emerged in the late 1970s he pointed out the knobs on the foothills of the Rockies where he said there would be gas found.  Within months, wells had been placed on each knob he indicated.  He knew how to find gold.  He said that most of the underground gold was in quartz deposits where it would seep through the cracks upward when molten and there solidify and wait to be found.  I told my youngest son that a few years later.  He thought, another of mother's little dreams, only later that week we drove past the main building at the Colorado School of Mines and across the highway were two truck sized entrances to a mine in the hillside opening from a wall of quartz.  I won that one.  He believed me.  May Dudley rest in peace and his family, Darlene, Sean and Sonya, retain fond memories of their husband and father.  He is one of a kind, and most kind.

I feel very blessed to have known Dudley for the last year. I met him at "The Magic Lamp". He was loved by everyone. He was quite the dancer and singer. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I will miss seeing his smiling face as he would walk thru the door at 9 pm sharp.  I am very sorry for your loss. Please except my condolences. He was very special.

OBITUARY

Dudley Wayne Smith

December 30, 1931 – July 1, 2015

Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary

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