Obituary of Richard Robert Smith

Richard (Dick) R. Smith passed away in his sleep on  April 15th.  He has gone to meet his wife Penny, who has been in heaven since 2018.  We have no doubt they are together again. Dick was born in the Bronx in 1927 and almost made it to his 96th birthday in July. As a small boy, he was interested in music. At age 16, he was the youngest trumpet player, playing for Broadway shows and traveling on the bus with the big bands across the country. He played with big-named band leaders like Louis Prima, Guy Lombardo and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a few.  In 1962, he married Penny and they moved to California, where they made headlines as the “Exodus Group,"  a band of people who journeyed across the country in a caravan of cars and minibuses, camping across the United States from New York to California. There were 34 adults and numerous children of all ages. They ended up in Chico.  It was the beginning of Chico-San, Inc. and the birth of Chico San Rice Cakes! He was ahead of his time, introducing the macrobiotic way of life, eating healthy. Dick was a loving and giving person.  He used to send money in the mail to employees who he knew needed a little bit of help, with no return address.  That was the kind of man he was. Dick is survived by his children, Michael, Gary, Diane and Robyn, along with a lot of grandchildren as well as great grandchildren.  We can hear Penny now: “What took you so long!”

Sunday April 23rd. / Viewing Hours are 5pm to 8pm
Brusie Funeral Home
626 Broadway
Chico, CA, 95928

Monday, April 24, 2023 / Memorial Service
10:00am
Monday, April 24, 2023
Glen Oaks Memorial Park
11115 Midway
Chico

Celebration of Life
Family Home
240 Mission Serra Terrace
Chico
Noon to 3pm