Richard H. Smith, Jr. of Naples, FL died on Feb. 22, after a long battle with cancer. He was 74.
Richard H. Smith Jr. passed away on Feb. 22. A memorial service will be scheduled later.
Rick was born on Oct. 9, 1943 in Stamford to parents Richard and Jeanette Smith. He attended the King School in Stamford and in 1966 graduated from Boston University with a major in history.
After working for Chubb & Son for 10 years, he and his business partners bought his father’s company, Pierson & Smith Insurance Agency in Stamford. He resided in Darien and then Branford with his wife Linda until he retired as president of P&S in 2004, and moved to Naples, Fla.
Rick and Linda were members of Quail Creek Country Club, where he loved playing golf and joking with friends. Rick particularly enjoyed his position as club librarian, a job at which he excelled. He was an avid reader, fanatic history buff and never missed the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; son Nathaniel Smith of Portland, Ore.; daughter Whitney Smith of Charleston, S.C.; two stepchildren, Greg Klingaman of Amsterdam, and Cheryl Williams of Darien; and daughter-in-law Andrea Smith of Missoula, Mont. In 2010, Rick was pre-deceased by his eldest son Andrew Smith of Victor, Idaho. He was blessed with five grandchildren, Lily, Anna & William Klingaman, Anika Smith and Elias Smith.
In lieu of flowers, Rick has requested taking a moment to connect with your family members — a private dinner without cell phones, going to the movies on a rainy day or taking a ride on the golf-cart with your child or grandchild.
A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at Quail Creek at a date to be announced.