Rev. Dr. Richard H. Smeltzer, 69, of Lake Alfred, Fla., died at “camp” on Damariscotta Lake Aug. 7, surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born March 7, 1947 in York, Penn., a son of the late Dallas D. and Nellie V. (Stein) Smeltzer.
On Oct. 19, 1968 he married Janet Marie Henry in Red Lion, Penn.
Richard was a graduate of Red Lion High School, a member of the class of 1965. He received his B.A. from York College, his M.Div from Bangor Theological Seminary, and his PhD from New York Theological Seminary.
At a young age he began his musical career playing the organ. Over the years he served as church organist and hosted his own weekly radio show. For 40 years, he and his friend Sam Keeney performed their annual Christmas organ concert, “The Sounds of Christmas,” in Pennsylvania and throughout New England, and together the two recorded many albums.
Throughout their ministerial service, he and his wife served: The Emigsville United Methodist Church in Emigsville, Penn.; Longstown United Methodist Church in Longstown, Penn.; Belfast United Methodist Church in Belfast; Searsmont United Methodist Church in Searsmont; New Harbor United Methodist Church in New Harbor; Round Pond United Methodist Church in Round Pond; Grant Memorial United Methodist Church in Presque Isle; Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Manchester, N.H.; Auburn United Methodist Church in Auburn; and Salem United Church of Christ in Dover, Penn. He retired from formal ministry in 2009.
Richard was a 47-year member of the Masonic Lodge; Past Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star; the York Organ Club; a life-member of the Leo Fire Company in Red Lion, Penn.; a former member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, and past-president of the Lions Club of York, Penn.
He loved being by the water, whether it was the ocean or the lake. For decades, he would spend a week every summer volunteering at Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop as a counselor during their annual music camp. He loved traveling with his wife, but especially enjoyed spending time with the entire family. He and Janet made sure that their home was always a place that their children and their friends wanted to be.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald E. Smeltzer.
In addition to his wife of more than 48 years, Richard is survived by son, Paul T. Smeltzer and wife Holly of Waldoboro; daughter, Cassandra R. “Becky” Humphrey and husband Shawn of Standish; grandchildren, Aaron, Cassandra “Cassi,” Jacob and Jackson; brother, G. Leroy Smeltzer and wife Mary of Mount Wolf, Penn.; sister-in-law, Donna M. Smeltzer of Red Lion, Penn.; nephews, Gerald, Brian, Todd and David; and niece, Debra.
Friends are invited to join the family for a service to celebrate Richard’s life and ministry at 1 p.m., Sat., Aug. 20 at the Waldoboro United Methodist Church, 95 Friendship St., Waldoboro. Pastor Karen Lilli Pax will officiate.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to Camp Mechuwana, PO Box #277, Winthrop, ME 04363-0277.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
