Richard "Rick" G. Smith III, 70, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Essentia St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

Rick was born on January 13, 1956, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Richard and Donna Mae (Ely) Smith Jr. He married Sandra "Sandy" Flaten on July 20, 1985, in South Range, Wisconsin.

Rick retired from the Douglas County Highway Department, where he was affectionately known by his coworkers as "Water Boy Roy." After a short retirement, he returned to work at Ericson Trucking and Logging in Minong, Wisconsin, while waiting for his wife, Sandra, to retire from the USPS in 2020.

Prior to working for the Highway Department, Rick and Sandy owned and operated a dairy farm in Poplar, Wisconsin, before moving to the Solon Springs area.

Rick was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed camping and deep-water Lake Superior fishing with his kids. Above all else, he cherished time spent with his family and especially enjoyed teasing his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Smith.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sandra Smith; his children, Pattrich (Christi) O'Neil, Angela (Matthew) Johnson, Brandon (Shauna) Pekkala, Richard Smith IV, and Nicholas (Angela) Smith; his grandchildren, Natalee (Matthew) Clark, Oliviah Smith, Carter Smith, Annelise Smith, Gabriel Smith, Sofia Smith, Orion Jones, Madeline Johnson, and Adriana Johnson; his great-grandchildren, Coleson Clark and Everest Andrews; and his siblings, Kathryn (Richard) Gierl, Sharon (James) Wiita, and Michael (Rayanne) Smith.

In addition to his family, Rick leaves behind his close friend, Ted Johnson, Don Bunnell and his beloved dog, Bella.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N. 34th St., Superior, WI.