Richard Smithson

Richard Clayton Smithson was born on April 2, 1928 to Charles E. and Juanita Wonderly Smithson in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, and passed away at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center on November 5, 2010. He attended elementary schools in Spencer, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Rapid City, South Dakota, graduating from Rapid City High School in 1946. Richard received a Bachelor of Music degree from Yankton College (South Dakota) in 1950. In 1971 he received a Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and furthered his education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City with 19 completed hours on a Doctorate in Music Education.

Richard was married to Julia Stephenson on June 30, 1951, in Lead, South Dakota. To this union were born two sons. His teaching career of 33 years took him to schools in South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. A second career choice took him to Kansas City were he retired as a nursing home activity director in 1994.

While in the teaching field, Richard belonged to the MENC, the NEA, the Nebraska Elementary Music Educators, for which he was bulletin editor, and NSEA. He was a member of the York Lions Club. In this organization he served as local club president, District Zone Chairman Region B and Region B chairman. In 2003 he was elected to the office of District 38N District Governor. He was currently the Chairman of the Assistance Committee for the Nebraska Lions Foundation. He was recognized in March 2000 with an International Award of Appreciation for Dedicated Service. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow. Richard belonged to the First United Methodist Church in York and the United Methodist Men.

Dick’s love of the theater was pursued in the Yorkshire Playhouse, beginning with the role of Pseudulus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, the first production presented by that organization. This was followed by many more. He, with his wife, presented many musical programs in the community. One of his greatest enjoyments was attending his high school class reunions. He was proud to wear his HODAR (Husband of a Daughter of the American Revolution) pin supporting his wife in her organization.

Survivors include his wife Julia of York; sons, Richard (Julie) of Central City and Michael (Ramona) of Hastings; grandchildren: Julia Ann Smithson, Katherine (Timothy) Dreher, and Andrew (Stephanie) Smithson of Grand Island; Nicole Smithson and Kelly Smithson of Central City; Angela (A.J.) Loutzenheiser of Hastings and Corbin Smithson of Grand Island; four great grandsons: Alex and Adam Dreher and Carter Smithson and Dyllon Finely of Grand Island; two great granddaughters, EmaLeigh and Izabella Dreher of Grand Island. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Barbara Smithson of Omaha, a nephew, Charles (Jennifer) Smithson of Des Moines, Iowa and a great nephew, Evan Smithson of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, his brother William, grandson Benjamin Smithson, and great granddaughter Angel Dreher.

Memorial services were Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in York. Private family inurnment will be held in York’s Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Nebraska Lions Foundation or the York Adopt-A-Pet.