Richard "Dick" L. Smith

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Dick Smith moved on, hopefully to greener pastures.

Dick was born on October 9, 1937, in Winona, MN. His parents were Frank and Bertha (Hupp) Smith, immigrants from Germany. In 1957, Dick married his best friend and soulmate, Ruth Maryan Votruba. They shared a very special companionship for over 67 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, Reid; sisters-in-law: Joyce Woodworth and Mona Rossin; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nadine Kanz; and his buddy, Buster, a smart little Wiener dog – his bog brown eyes and unconditional love provided a source of comfort for Dick in his golden years.

Dick always had a passion for the Mississippi River. He was raised in the west end of Winona near the Crooked Slough backwater area. As a youth, Dick spent almost every day on the river – he was a real “river rat.” Dick graduated from Winona High in 1955, worked a few years at Pletkes Foods, and at age 26, decided to go back to school. He graduated from Winona State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked in several sales positions and in 1971, he managed the first-ever Yahama motorcycle and snowmobile franchises established in Winona. Dick retired from ShopKo in 2002.

In the 80’s, he and Ruth acquired a live-in boathouse in the Latsch Island community. This floating cabin provided many memorable and thrilling river adventures. It was their “home away from home.”

Dick loved all sports and participated in almost all the Park Rec youth programs. He enjoyed many outdoor activities like swimming, water skiing, biking, kayaking, and rollerblading. He and Ruth enjoyed many canoeing and fishing adventures in the Minnesota BWCA and the Lake of the Woods in Canada. 

Dick was a “long suffering” Minnesota sports fan, and faithfully followed the local teams – the Gophers, Vikings, Twins, and the Wild. 

He played high school hockey for the Winhawks. After graduation, he joined the Winona Hornets amateur hockey team. The 50s were the glory days of the prestigious Southern Minnesota Hockey League – good old rough, tough, outdoor hockey! Dick was one of the “young guys” and felt honored to be playing on the same team with some of the finest hockey talent to ever come out of Winona.

Dick started weightlifting in his mid-twenties and it soon became his passion. He was a longtime member of the YMCA where he was a fixture in the weight room. He was a founding member of the Hiawatha Valley Barbell Club and the Winona Powerlifting Team. Dick loved the sport and was a mentor for many aspiring lifters of all ages. As a Master Class lifter, he captured a number of titles in bench competitions held throughout the Upper Midwest. He also partnered with several of his fellow lifters in promoting a number of highly successful bench press competitions in Winona.

Dick was an avid “biker,” and helped organize the Winona Dirt Wheelers off-road motorcycle club. He was very active in promoting the popularity of off-road motorcycle riding and short track racing.

Dick loved music and got to experience the excitement of the birth of Rock n’ Roll. What a wonderful time to be a teenager, driving a ’50 Mercury with white side walls – how cool was that? He was a “Golden Oldies” fanatic and loved the Beatles. Dick was a guitarist, and in the early 60’s, along with two friends, Dave and Verne, formed “The Fabulous Jaguars,” an instrumental trio. They entertained in many of the local establishments for several years.

A major highlight in Dick’s life was in 1968. His friend and former band member, Dave Pahnke, teaching in Anchorage, AK, invited him for an inside tour of this pristine, majestic land. With Ruth’s blessing, he jumped on a big silver bird and got his experience first hand – the magnificent mountains, the remote wilderness, and abundant wildlife that Alaska offers. The whole trip was an unforgettable sportsman’s dream.

Dick was a pretty mellow, easy-going guy, but was not shy about expressing his opinion in Winona’s news media. He did not mind stirring up a hornet’s nest occasionally. 

Dick always tried to enjoy life to the fullest and was thankful to have been born into the time frame he was allotted. He got to experience what he called the “good old days,” when the sun was always shining, the sky was always blue, the music was great, and the whole world was in technicolor. Sad to say, today the outlook for the world’s future looks pretty grim.

At Dick’s request, no services will be held.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Dick’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.