Richard Smith

Richard Eugene “Dick” “Smitty” Smith, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Extended Care Facility in Sidney.

He was born Feb. 23, 1944, in Paso Robles, Calif., to Wilbur Henry and Alma Louise (Ellis) Smith. He was less than a year old when his dad completed his military service duties and moved back home to Crawford, Neb. Dick was the first living child of Wilbur and Alma followed by brother Duane in 1945, sister Linda in 1946 and brother Billy in 1952.

He was lucky to have two aunties, Joy and June, who were only a few years older than he was. They lived with him in high school, had a lot of fun together and also got into a lot of trouble together.

Growing up was a happy time, especially at Grampa Bill’s farm. He learned early on the value of being strong, independent and resilient. He had the grip of an iron man and, even up to the end, he had a hell of a grip and didn’t want to let go. He was a born leader, a jokester, a big cheater at cards and a fighter. He had many interesting conversations, many stories shared, with a Marlboro in one hand and a beer or cup of coffee in another.

He loved to dance the two step and jitter bug. He was a dance partner to many through the years. When the band or jukebox started, he grabbed the nearest pretty girl and hit the dance floor. He was even in a band called the “Kaylon 5” and was told he sang “just like Elvis.”

He graduated in 1962, excelled in school, in sports as a star athlete and was the prom king. He really was hell on wheels and had the motto “life’s really short,” especially being a bull rider in the Little Britches Rodeo.

He was working north of Crawford at the Norman Ranch when he and Patricia “Patty Mae” Forsberg started dating in 1964. They married in 1965 in Crawford, Neb., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. To this union, daughters Lisa Dawn was born July 1965 and Tracy Yvette was born July 1966 in Gering, Neb. He was working as a ranch hand, a cowboy and at the sales ring. Many job changes had them drifting through the states of Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming where Richard “Corey” was born March 1969 in Newcastle, Wyo. Corey was a baby when they moved to Belle Creek. This is when he began his oil and gas career. In Broadus, he met Russ Compton and his family and were lifelong friends. His job transferred him and the family again to Utah, Colorado and finally to Sidney in 1978.

The life of living in the “oil patch” was never boring. He was a pumper for Crystal Oil and Gas, Flint Engineering, Mitchell’s Oilfield Service, co-owner of Rebel Roustabout and lastly co-owner of Talon Contractors with John Welnel. He and John had a very successful oil construction company. He was proud