Richard Smith, 24, died Sunday, June 14, 2009 as a result of an automobile accident near Fergus Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 18, 2009 at First Lutheran Church, Middle River, MN with Reverend Curtis Matz officiating. Burial will be at German Evangelical Cemetery, Middle River, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at First Lutheran Church, Middle River, MN with a 7 PM prayer service and also for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Richard Lyle Smith was born June 11, 1985 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, the son of Miles and Lyla (Paetznick) Smith. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church, Middle River and confirmed there on October 26, 2003. He attended Greenbush/Middle River School and graduated in 2004. Richard attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in December 2008. The spring semester of 2009, he was taking classes toward his Masters Degree.

He worked for his Dad, Miles on S & F Farms, Greenbush, MN through high school and his first couple years of college. He always enjoyed seeding and harvesting. Richard also worked for WJS farms, Oslo, MN for the last few years, with his last day on his birthday, June 11, 2009.

At the time of his death, Richard was on his way to Minneapolis to start his new career in engineering.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church, Middle River. He enjoyed snowmobiling, farming, operating large equipment, and being a part of the pit crew for snowmobile and dirt track racing with his friends. Richard also enjoyed deer hunting, cat fishing and just generally, being outdoors. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed pulling pranks on his family and friends. Richard loved spending time with Grandma, Grandpa and his new nephew Hudson, who was special because now he was a full time uncle. He always enjoyed spending time with his many family, friends, and his dog, Butch, also known as Dale.

Richard is survived by parents, Miles and Lyla Smith, Middle River, MN; sisters, Missy (Greg) Hall, Thief River Falls, MN and Jes Smith, Minneapolis, MN; grandma, Arlo Paetznick, Middle River, MN; nephews, Hudson Hall and Jake Hall; several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends; God parents, Dale and Linda Wojciechowski.

He is preceded in death by grandparents, Lyle Paetznick, Gertrude Smith and Fred Smith; also his dog, Butch.