Richard E. Smith

Richard E. Smith, of Perrysburg and Marco Island, Florida, passed away Tuesday, July 28, surrounded by his devoted and loving family. He was 85. Dick was a native of Celina, Ohio. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Macon. Following completion of his military service, he began a 53 year career at the Bostwick-Braun Company of Toledo, rising to the level of President/CEO/and Chairman of the Board. Dick was an innovative and highly successful force in the hardware industry. He served on multiple boards, including the Nation Retail Hardware Association, The Pro Group, and the United Way of Toledo. He was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 for the city of Toledo. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Perrysburg, and past member of the Toledo Rotary Club and Belmont Country Club. He also served as president of the Perrysburg Athletic Boosters. He was a true patriot. Upon retirement, Dick became voracious reader and continued to be an avid sports enthusiast, namely the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings, Ohio State University athletics, Perrysburg baseball and Michigan State University baseball. He served well as a team statistician for many years. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Ruth, daughter, Jill, beloved grandson, Hunter, of East Lansing, Michigan and sister, Mabel (Olen) Amstutz. Friends will be received from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 2, 2015 in the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 222 East South Boundary St., Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551 (419-874-3133). Visitation will continue on August 3, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in the First United Methodist Church, 200 West Second St., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 where Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M with Pastor Eric McGlade officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Meigs Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the form of contributions to the First United Methodist Church in Perrysburg.