Richard Smith, age 73, of Aiken, S.C., loving husband of Brenda Noel-Smith and son of the late Herbert A. Smith, Jr. and the late Betty Hunt Smith, unexpectedly entered into rest at his residence on Oct. 10, 2019. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Donovan (Michelle) Smith; a daughter, Dana Smith (Jason) Noble; sisters Carolyn Smith (Thomas) Maffett and Margaret Smith Lewis; five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., to a military family. As a result, he spent much of his childhood traveling around the world. He has spent the last 18 years in Aiken County, S.C. He was a strong Christian of the Baptist faith.

He was a retired U.S. Air Force pilot with more than 20 years of service to his country. He served in the Vietnam War flying a C-130 aircraft. Service awards include the Air Medal, with three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal, with one oak leaf cluster; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; AF Longevity Service Ribbon, with four oak leaf clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon; Air Force Training Ribbon; Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Following U.S. Air Force retirement, he flew 747 commercial cargo for Atlas Air.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who was always loved by his family and friends. A man of his stellar caliber shall be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched. We are thankful for the 73 precious years that God granted him on this earth. Death is not the end for Richard, as he shall live on forever in heaven and the hearts of the many who loved him. (His Loving Family)

Moody 70-01 Bio

College: USAFA 1968, BS - Political Science, International Affairs
Valdosta St College 1976, MA - History

Military Career: 1968-1969 Moody; 1969-1971: CCK Taiwan CP C-130s: flew rotations into SVN and Thailand 197l-1976 Moody AFB: T-37 IP (including Bootstap for Masters degree); 1976-1979: MacDill AFB: Rated supplement as Weapons Controller in 729 TCS, ended tour as Chief Stan/Eval; 1979-1984: T-38 IP, Columbus AFB; ended tour as Chief of Academics: 1984-1988, Tinker AFB: Mission Commander E3A (thanks to earlier tour as weapons controller), ended tour dual qualified as MC and NORAD Battle commander. Retired 1988

Civilian Career: 1989: short time as manager, Ryan's Family Steakhouse; 1989-1998 Southern Air Transport, FO/CA L100 (civilian C-130). Flew all over the world with lots of flying in Africa mostly food relief for various international organizations, challenging and rewarding at times - Earlier AF C-130 training very beneficial for remote, unimproved short field work. SAT bankrupt in 1998. 1999 - 2006 Atlas Air, FO B-747. Good airplane, miss the flying but not the life style - Lost FAA medical 2006.

Retirement activities: grandchildren, helping wife in her real estate work taking care of a 17O+ year old colonial home.