Richard "Dick" Smits

Dick Smits’ time on this earth has come to an end as he moved on to his heavenly home on February 5, 2018 after a three-year battle with cancer. His earthly journey began December 13, 1938 when he became the 11th of 12 children of George and Martha (Vander Heiden) Smits. Dick endured a rough beginning when he was afflicted with polio when he was 6 months old which left him somewhat handicapped. Only a few years later a severe medical problem arose from which he was not expected to survive, but with many people praying for him, he survived and moved on to attend De Pere High School and graduated from St. Norbert College in 1960. Dick began a banking career with De Pere Federal Savings (Prime Federal Bank) which continued for the next 37 years. During that time, he held many different positions culminating in being named to the Board of Directors in 1986, President in 1989, and Chief Executive Officer in 1992, and then coordinating the merger with First Northern Savings Bank in 1994. On October 17, 1964 Dick considered his life complete when Joan M. Flick became his wife at St. Marys of the Angels Church in Green Bay. Dick’s parents taught his entire family to be involved and to help people and he carried that commitment to his job, his community and his church. Over the years Dick was a Little League Coach and was involved in building Kelly Danen Field. Dick was a member of the De Pere Park Board, Treasurer of De Pere Sportsman’s Club, served on numerous Board of Directors including De Pere Ice Center, De Pere Main Street Program, De Pere Christian Outreach, and De Pere Historical Society. Dick was the Charter President of the Monday Noon Optimist Club in 1964 (and was still an active member), trustee of St. Mary Church De Pere for 10 years, and President of the Parish Council. In honor of this dedication to serving others, Dick was awarded the Silver Knight Award by St. Norbert College in 1976. Dick was also privileged to serve as one of the official statisticians for the Green Bay Packers for 1978 to 1998. Despite having the effects of polio and numerous other medical problems Dick felt that he was truly blessed. Tops on his list of blessings was his wife of 53-plus years and his three children and four grandchildren who gave him many reasons to be both happy and proud - his four grandchildren brought a whole new meaning to his life. Dick especially enjoyed golf, picking and cleaning hickory nuts, and a good game of gin with the golfing buddies. Surviving Dick, is his loving wife Joan and his three children Timothy (Lisa), Wales, WI., Scott, De Pere, and Amy (John) Harmann, De Pere; four grandchildren Jacob Jenna Smits, Anna and Evan Harmann; three sisters Marie Albers, Mary Jane (Don) Van Remortel all of De Pere, and Dorothy Allcox, Neenah; two brothers Clayton (Rose), De Pere and Kenneth (Sally), Franklin, WI.; sisters in law Ruth Smits, Antigo and Barbara Smits, De Pere. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, sister Bertha Kaczmierczak, five brothers: George Jr., Henry, Donald, Jerome, and Robert, and in-laws Phyllis Smits, Mary Lou Smits, Don Baeten, Tom Kaczmierczak, Sam Albers, and Tom Allcox. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, on Thursday, February 8, from 3:00pm until 7:00pm with a Parish Prayer Service at 6:00pm. Visitation will continue on Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, from 9:00am until 10:45am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating and Fr. Willard VanDeLoo as homilist. Burial in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere. Online condolences at www.cotterfuneralhome.com A heartfelt thank you to Green Bay Oncology, Unity Hospice, and our amazing family and friends for walking this path with us. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Unity Hospice, St. Mary’s Church and De Pere Optimist Club.

Reception:
The Rite Place
1580 Bellevue Road
Green Bay, WI 54311