Richard S. Smith

Richard (Dick) S. Smith, 89, beloved husband of Jane Elisabeth (Leshure) for 61 years, died peacefully on December 18, 2017, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center after a long, rich life. Born on August 3, 1928, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, he was one of four sons and a daughter born to the late John Watson and Agnes (Johnson) Smith. He completed high school in just three years, after which he enlisted in the United States Navy at the tail-end of World War II. He served on the hospital ship USS Hope, writing the ship’s log, among other duties, during the tumultuous time of his deployment. After the war, he attended Duke University on the G.I. Bill, earning a degree in accounting as a member of the post-war class of 1950. He then relocated to Connecticut where he met his future wife, Jane. They married on February 18, 1956. Dick and Jane first made their home in Tarriffville and later moved to West Hartford in 1960 to raise their growing family. He continued to reside in West Hartford until his passing, most recently moving to The McAuley in July. Dick spent almost his entire career working for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CG), ultimately retiring in 1984 following the merger of CG with the Insurance Company of North America and the resulting formation of CIGNA Corporation. Prior to his retirement, he served as Vice President – Reinsurance and President of C.G. Equity Sales Company and CIGNA Equity Sales Company. An avid and accomplished golfer, he was a long-time member of the Hartford Golf Club, where he was proud to have won the club championship four times. In a true testament to his longevity, he is the only person known to have won the club championship in three different decades. He also qualified as an amateur to play in an early edition of the Insurance City Open (the precursor to today’s Traveler’s Championship). Never one to dwell on his own accomplishments, his greatest pride and joy was his family. In addition to his wife of 61 years, he leaves two children: Richard S. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Jeannie, of West Hartford; and Wendy S. Twardy and her husband David, of South Glastonbury. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lisa W. MacInnes of Bethesda, Maryland, who died of breast cancer in September of 2004 in the prime of her life. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Hillary and Ian MacInnes; Richard (Trey) and Shelby Smith; and Grace, Drew and Jack Twardy. Finally, he leaves a son-in-law, Brett MacInnes and his wife, Christine Noel, of Bethesda, Maryland; and a brother, Clifford Smith and his wife Sally, of Pinehurst, North Carolina. Known for his wit and humor, Dick had a quip and a witticism for almost every occasion. From an early age, his children (and everyone else within earshot) were taught that it is always best to “keep a low profile.” He was also fond of saying, “Don’t tell ‘em everything you know,” and, when a discussion or debate had (in his judgment) gone on long enough, he would say that “Even a turtle lets loose at sundown.” In a quip the meaning of which is still being debated, he frequently asked a complainer, “Would you complain if they hung you with a new rope?” Finally, ever the optimist, he often said, “Don’t let the rain ruin the rhubarb.” A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford, Connecticut, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, Connecticut, will take place in the spring at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hope & Healing Campaign being conducted by the St. Francis Foundation, 95 Woodland Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06105, or www.saintfrancisdonor.com. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.