Lt Colonel Richard Neal Smith

Lt. Colonel (U. S. Army Retired) Richard Neal Smith, 77, of Owensboro, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Riverside Manor in Calhoun. He was born on June 23, 1934 in Churchville, MD to the late Bruce A. and Irma Faye Smith. Richard was retired as a Lt. Colonel after 13 years of active duty service and 20 years service in the reserves with the U. S. Army. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served two tours of duty there. His first tour was from 1965-1966 in the Mekong Delta and his second tour was from 1968-1970 in Saigon. He received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Oakleaf clusters, and the Commendation Medal. He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church where he was an elder. He attended Tulsa University where he played on the football team, was in the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and then went to Centenary College where he graduated and was with the R.O.T.C. graduating as a 2nd Lt. Richard was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and enjoyed woodworking in his spare time. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Michelle Smith on January 2, 1983.

Richard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth L. Smith, four daughters, Susan Shaver of Las Vegas, NV, Pamela Higdon (Jim) of Lagrange, Patricia Nunn (Rob) of Elizabethtown, and Paula Newsom (Herman) of Dacula, GA, a son, Gary W. Brewer of Owensboro, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 7, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimers Assoc., Evansville, IN office, 4770 Covert Ave., Suite 211, Evansville, IN 47714, American Cancer Society, 1302 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY 42301, or to the Central Presbyterian Church, 426 St. Ann St., Owensboro, KY 42303. Online condolences may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.