Richard W. "Harpo" Smith

Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 10/23/2008 - 10/24/2008

SMITH Richard W. "Harpo" Smith, 85, of Upper Arlington, OH, passed away at Ohio State University Medical Center on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 from complications due to surgery.

"Harpo" was the owner and operator of the Sunoco Station at the corner of Market and Underwood in Zanesville, until 1960 when he relocated to Columbus, OH and was employed by the Certified Oil Company. Dick retired as a vice president of Certified Oil Company in 1988.

After retirement Dick was an arbitrator for the Muskingum County Court System. He was also a member of the St. Andrew Parish for over (30) thirty years.

While in Zanesville "Harpo" was an avid baseball player. He played center field for Green Top Cab Company, Judy's Service, and Stone's Grill, he also went on to play for the St. Louis Browns. Harpo was inducted into the Muskingum County Baseball Hall of Fame in February of 2004.

A devoted husband and father Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Helen Reilly Smith, his parents Daniel (Dan) and Clara (Sharrock) Smith, and brothers Louis (Pon) Smith and James S. (Jim) Smith.

Surviving are daughters, Sandy (Tom) Moorehead of Westerville, Stephanie (Dr. Stephen) Hutcheson of Lancaster, Sally Stauffer of Columbus, Suzette (Bob) Saltsman of Upper Arlington, Stacie (Tom) Potter of Upper Arlington; and son, Sean Smith of Upper Arlington; 5 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren; a sister, Suzanne Martin of Zanesville; and brother and sister-in-law, Danny (Hack) and Betty (Taylor) Smith of Port Charlotte, FL; also surviving are several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Sandy Smith of Zanesville, OH.

Calling hours will be at the HILLIS & HARDWICK FUNERAL HOME, 935 Forest Ave., Zanesville, OH on Friday, October 24th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with Christian Vigil service at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 25th at St. Thomas Catholic Church on North Fifth Street at 10 a.m. with Fr. Pius Pietrzyk O.P. as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Paul's Cemetery, East Pike, Zanesville, OH.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association.