Richard Dale Smith

Richard Dale Smith passed away in his home in Inyokern, CA, January 21, 2022 from complications following a surgery.  He was 56.  Rich was born in Ridgecrest, CA, on June 5, 1965 to Kenneth and Barbara Smith.  He graduated from Burroughs High School in 1983.

On March 30, 1986 Rich married his high school sweetheart, Jennie Moulton.  They lived in Ridgecrest until 1997 when they moved, the now family of four, to a 10-acre plot north of Inyokern.  They tried to leave the valley several times, but something always kept them in the valley.  He was the most wonderful and loving husband and father.  His family was everything to him.

Rich worked at Coast to Coast Hardware for close to two years before beginning his 35+ year career at the "Trona Plant" with Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. in June of 1986, now Searles Valley Minerals.  Rich (Richie to many Plant folks) started in the Shipping Department at the Westend Plant as a Materials Handling Technician, manually filling bags with product, stacking them on pallets and loading trucks.  He worked the swing shift and the newlyweds were lucky to see each other for two hours a day during the week.  Rich enjoyed the physicality of this job and took pride in stacking square, flat pallets.  Technology progressed and the Plant acquired an automated bagging system.  Rich was not a fan, but he persevered.

In 1997 Rich transferred to Trona Railway, a division of Searles Valley Minerals.  He started out on the Track Crew as a Maintenance Journeyman, helping to maintain 31 miles of mainline and 15 miles of yard and leased track.  He was a master mechanic and could fix just about anything, and it became his job to keep all the equipment running, from small to large.  By 2001 he was the Track Foreman.  In 2009 he moved to the Locomotive Shop and became the Chief Mechanical Officer.  Along with all of the track equipment, he was now responsible for the maintenance of 9 locomotives.

Rich's work ethic was unequalled until the day he died.  He always said that if the company was "kind enough" to pay him well, that they "deserved a full day of work for a full day of pay".  Rich only asked those on his crew to work as hard as he did, though that in itself may have been more than many could bear.  There was no quit in him, he would work until the job was done for as long as it took.  He believed that "on time" was LATE, and was late exactly one time in his career, when he stopped to assist a wrecked motorcycle rider.

Rich was an avid outdoorsman.  He loved to fish and hike, but hunting was his passion.  He hunted with both firearms and bows, with archery season being his favorite.  Hunting season was SACRED.  No family events were planned during hunting season, so Rich was annoyed when his daughter Katelyn was born during archery season in 1989.  He eventually forgave her.  He shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends, mentoring many.  Katelyn hunted with him from age 12 until she got married and moved across the country.  His son, Logan, was his best hunting buddy and they spent many, many cherished hours in the mountains together.

After the hunt was the feast.  Rich was an amazing cook, and his secret marinades were popular at barbecues.  He could throw together a great meal from leftovers or things out of the pantry.  He had an instinctive palate, knowing what spices and seasonings would make foods taste the best.  He was a "meat and potatoes" guy and enjoyed feeding people at home and at work.

Along with hunting are the tools of the sport.  Rich collected bows, customizing them to his preference.  He also enjoyed restoring vintage firearms and building custom rifles, studying different specifications to find the most accurate calibers, while looking for the unique.  He was an excellent shot with any weapon and enjoyed honing his craft.  He mentored many friends and family members in all aspects of shooting sports.

Rich is survived by his wife of 35+ years, Jennie; Daughter, Katelyn Bell and husband Jordan; Son, Logan Smith and wife Jessica; Seven grandchildren: Dillon, Liam, Alice, and Caroline Bell, and Sydney, Lilian, and Charlotte Smith; Brother Greg Smith and wife Laura; Brother Ron Smith and wife Mendy, numerous nieces and nephews; Mother-in-law Sue Moulton, and Uncle Edward Hartwig.  He is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Leo and Barbara Anne Smith (Sands); Grandparents Ted and Maxine Hartwig; Father-in-Law Marc Moulton; Brother-in-Law Scott Moulton; and best friend and hunting partner Allen Grossardt.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Rich on Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 11:00am – 3:00pm at the Msgr. Kevin Cleary Parish Hall at St. Ann Catholic Church, 446 W. Church Ave., Ridgecrest, CA.  Please bring your memories of Rich to share.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the China Lake Museum Foundation, the NRA, or another sporting/outdoors charity of your choice.