1948
Richard
2011
Richard Smith
June 30, 1948 — July 2, 2011
Richard W Smith, 63, owner of New River Scenic Whitewater Tours, died July
2, 2011 at his home following a long illness.
Born in Trenton, NJ June 30, 1948, he was the son of Walter and Jennie
Smith.
He is survived by a daughter, JoAnn Smith; a step-daughter, Barbie Dobbins both of Albuquerque, NM; his first wife Doris Sigl, of Raleigh, NC, from whom he was divorced but remained very close, and a very large circle of friends who will miss him very much. During his recent years of illness he was extremely grateful for the loving and devoted care and friendship he received from his good friends
Julia Gaitor and professional care-giver Sarah Gwinn.
In 1966 Richard graduated from Notre Dame High School in Trenton, NJ. He was able to attend Trenton State College on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1970. He played football at both schools. He met Doris Sigl in 1962 and they were married in 1971. They moved to Talcott, WV in 1975 and together, after purchasing one used raft, founded New River Scenic Whitewater Tours in 1980. They divorced in 1981 but Richard continued to run the rafting company, which came to have a location in Glen Jean as well as Hinton, and to employ over fifty people seasonally, until it was sold in 2004. He was married to Pam Maples from 1986 to 1996.
As an employer he created a family atmosphere and strong bond amongst his
employees. He shared his enthusiasm and love for the river, camping,
fishing, food and people in a unique way that will always be remembered by
those who knew him. As a hobby he collected and sold knives and small
collectibles at local flea markets and other venues.
He was best known to readers of the Register-Herald for his affiliation
with Save Our Mountains and his strong objections to the spraying of Bti
in the New River to eradicate the Black Fly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Committee For
The New River at www.ncnr.org or Friends of the Lower Greenbrier at
www.lowergreenbrierriver.org/
A private burial was held on July 3, 2011. Friends may gather for a graveside memorial at the Melba Farm in Talcott at 5:00 p.m. July 9, 2011. For directions call
518-423-0725.
2, 2011 at his home following a long illness.
Born in Trenton, NJ June 30, 1948, he was the son of Walter and Jennie
Smith.
He is survived by a daughter, JoAnn Smith; a step-daughter, Barbie Dobbins both of Albuquerque, NM; his first wife Doris Sigl, of Raleigh, NC, from whom he was divorced but remained very close, and a very large circle of friends who will miss him very much. During his recent years of illness he was extremely grateful for the loving and devoted care and friendship he received from his good friends
Julia Gaitor and professional care-giver Sarah Gwinn.
In 1966 Richard graduated from Notre Dame High School in Trenton, NJ. He was able to attend Trenton State College on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in Psychology in 1970. He played football at both schools. He met Doris Sigl in 1962 and they were married in 1971. They moved to Talcott, WV in 1975 and together, after purchasing one used raft, founded New River Scenic Whitewater Tours in 1980. They divorced in 1981 but Richard continued to run the rafting company, which came to have a location in Glen Jean as well as Hinton, and to employ over fifty people seasonally, until it was sold in 2004. He was married to Pam Maples from 1986 to 1996.
As an employer he created a family atmosphere and strong bond amongst his
employees. He shared his enthusiasm and love for the river, camping,
fishing, food and people in a unique way that will always be remembered by
those who knew him. As a hobby he collected and sold knives and small
collectibles at local flea markets and other venues.
He was best known to readers of the Register-Herald for his affiliation
with Save Our Mountains and his strong objections to the spraying of Bti
in the New River to eradicate the Black Fly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Committee For
The New River at www.ncnr.org or Friends of the Lower Greenbrier at
www.lowergreenbrierriver.org/
A private burial was held on July 3, 2011. Friends may gather for a graveside memorial at the Melba Farm in Talcott at 5:00 p.m. July 9, 2011. For directions call
518-423-0725.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Smith, please visit our flower store.
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