Richard Benson Smith

Richard Smith

Prominent real estate developer, Realtor and community leader, Richard Benson Smith, died Tuesday, December 8th, at age 84. The younger son of Franklin B. and Carmen Benson Smith, he was born June 15, 1925, and grew up in Boise's North End. He was the family's third generation real estate developer. His company has borne his name for over fifty years, now Windermere/Richard B. Smith. His most popular and well-known development, The Highlands, transformed Boise's North End as the City expanded after World War II. Fred Bagley, Ted Eberle, and Robert Kinsinger were co-developers with him in the venture. Among his other developments were North Mountain, Treasure Drive, and Jordan's Landing subdivisions, plus other valley and Idaho City locations. Property for both Crane Creek Country Club and the Highlands Baptist Church were provided by him, a founding father and honorary member of the Country Club. Smith attended Lowell Elementary, Boise Jr. High (North), graduating in 1943 from Boise High School. While in high school, he and Bob Hendren headed the U.S. War Bonds and Stamps sales. High powered salesmen start early! He attended the University of Idaho and became a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. The U. S. Army beckoned and he served from 1944-1946. He sailed to France on the USS West Point, where he was engaged with the 54th Field Hospital in the European theater of operation. He married June Williams on February 8, 1947, and together they celebrated almost 63 years of marriage. Their three children are Geoffrey B. Smith, Shelley Smith Eichmann, and Mark R. Smith. Grandchildren include R.B. Smith, KC Robinson, Jason Smith, Beau Brazier, Barb Brazier Studebaker, Rich Eichmann, and Halle' A. Smith. Great grandchildren are Emma Mapes, Alexander & William Studebaker, and Zoe Robinson. His older brother Franklin (wife Jean, children Cindy Mosier, Brent Smith and Cheryl Runyan) always lived close by, and they communicated daily until his passing last Spring. Education, community service, and land development have figured prominently in the Smith family. Richard followed in his forebears' footsteps as manager of the Boise City Canal District, a position his father and grandfather held before him. His grandfather, Idaho pioneer Franklin B. Smith, was Boise's first schoolteacher who homesteaded much of NW Boise in 1863. His mother, Carmen Smith, served for years on Boise's school board. His daughter, Shelley, was a teacher in Boise before becoming a Realtor/co-owner of Windermere/Richard B. Smith. Grandson Jason is a broker with the firm, and granddaughter KC is a Realtor in the company. Richard was a man of many talents/interests. For years, he rode the foothills above his home on horseback with his friends. He later founded a group called the Wrangling Rovers, which traveled by horseback on summer adventures to many of Idaho's wilderness locations. Among the Wranglers were Jack Simplot, Butch Otter, Wayne Hudson, Lee Farmer, Mike Gwartney, Vic Salutregui, Frank Fazzio, Dennis and Brad Dillon, and son Mark. As a vocalist, he was a member of the UI Vandaleers, and sang at many friends' weddings and other community functions. His Walking Group, comprised of Byron Erstad, George Johnson, Ferd Marwedel, Phil Obenchain, Gene Hill, and Tom Gebhardt, exercised both their limbs and those of their dogs on many Saturdays. He was likewise a fisherman, woodcarver, vegetable gardener, breadbaker, and world traveler. His loaves of bread and bags of veggies were enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors for decades. In his later years, he and his family of four generations enjoyed cruises to various worldwide destinations. As a volunteer, he founded the NW Boise Sewer District, served on the boards of United Way, Fundsy, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, and Boise Urban Stages for the City of Boise, and was president of the Sigma Chi alumni group. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Friday, December 11, 2009 at the club he helped found. Memorials may be made to the Idaho Foodbank or The Salvation Army, in lieu of flowers. Condolences for the family may be submitted online at CloverdaleFuneralHome.com.