Richard Kent Smith passed away at his home in Orono on November 11, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Kent was born in Villisca, Iowa, the son of Oscar Wayne Smith and Gladys McKay Smith. His father was a foreman for the railroad, and Kent often recalled with great fondness the many train trips that his family took during his childhood. During his years at Villisca High School, Kent played on the basketball team and enjoyed working behind the ice cream counter at Honeyman drug store. After graduating from high school, Kent earned a degree in History with a minor in Physical Education at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, where he was captain of the basketball team. Kent met his future wife, Barbara Waterhouse Smith, at Aurora; their first date took place at a hayride on January 16, 1954, a date that they celebrated every year during their marriage. Kent and Barb married shortly after their graduation, on July 2, 1957.
Kent’s first teaching position was at Waldo Junior High School in Aurora, IL, where he taught Social Studies to ninth grade students. He then taught sixth grade and coached a variety of sports at John W. Gates school in Aurora for ten years. While enrolled at the school, Kent’s daughter and sons regularly witnessed his comical jump rope routines on the playground (much to the delight of his students), and treasure the memory of walking back and forth to school with him on a daily basis. He earned his master’s degree in Education at Northern Illinois University in 1962.
Kent moved with his family to Orono, ME in 1969, where he enrolled in the doctoral program in Education with a concentration in Reading at the University of Maine. After earning his Ed.D. in 1971, he was a professor of Developmental Studies at Bangor Community College (now the Bangor campus of the University of Maine at Augusta), and served as department chair for nine years. He served as co-editor of Forum for Reading, and was on the editorial board of Research and Teaching in Developmental Education. Kent was the author of several textbooks, including Building Vocabulary for College, Vocab-35, Lessons in English Grammar, Sentence Matters, and Spelling Matters (co-authored with his son, Shawn).
Kent sang in the choir at the Stillwater Federated Church for many years, and was a longtime member of the Orono United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees, taught Sunday School, participated in the choir and occasionally sang solos, accompanied by Barbara on the piano. He was keenly interested in people from all walks of life, and wanted to know everything about the backgrounds, families, hobbies and interests of each person that he encountered.
Kent was a member of the board of My Friend’s Place for many years, recorded books for the visually impaired, and worked at the Pearson Professional Center after his retirement from Bangor Community College.
Kent is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; sister Kathleen Nimrod of Cedar Falls, Iowa; daughter Laura Artesani & son-in-law Jim Artesani; son Shawn Smith; son Steve Smith & daughter-in-law Judy Smith; grandchildren and their partners: Randy Rand & Meg Kenney, Todd & Destiny Rand, Emily & Sam Walton, and Carolyn Artesani; great-grandchildren Bailey Bernier, Aidan, Owen & Lily Rand, Tyler Kenney, Brooklyn and McKenna Rand, and Bennett Walton, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Wayne Smith of Dallas, TX and Gene Smith of St. Louis, MO. Kent treasured his enduring friendships with Aurora University friends Don Carver, Roger & Marilyn Parolini, Butch & Ginny Merritt, Darrell & Jackie Storholt, and Bill & Marty Nickerson. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Alyssa, Randy, Julie, Becca and Janice from Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, and especially to Nurse Mariah for her devoted attention to Kent. At Kent’s request, there will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orono United Methodist Church, 36 Oak St., Orono ME 04473, oronoumc.org and My Friend’s Place, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401, myfriendsplaceprogram.com. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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Kent’s first teaching position was at Waldo Junior High School in Aurora, IL, where he taught Social Studies to ninth grade students. He then taught sixth grade and coached a variety of sports at John W. Gates school in Aurora for ten years. While enrolled at the school, Kent’s daughter and sons regularly witnessed his comical jump rope routines on the playground (much to the delight of his students), and treasure the memory of walking back and forth to school with him on a daily basis. He earned his master’s degree in Education at Northern Illinois University in 1962.
Kent moved with his family to Orono, ME in 1969, where he enrolled in the doctoral program in Education with a concentration in Reading at the University of Maine. After earning his Ed.D. in 1971, he was a professor of Developmental Studies at Bangor Community College (now the Bangor campus of the University of Maine at Augusta), and served as department chair for nine years. He served as co-editor of Forum for Reading, and was on the editorial board of Research and Teaching in Developmental Education. Kent was the author of several textbooks, including Building Vocabulary for College, Vocab-35, Lessons in English Grammar, Sentence Matters, and Spelling Matters (co-authored with his son, Shawn).
Kent sang in the choir at the Stillwater Federated Church for many years, and was a longtime member of the Orono United Methodist Church, where he served on many committees, taught Sunday School, participated in the choir and occasionally sang solos, accompanied by Barbara on the piano. He was keenly interested in people from all walks of life, and wanted to know everything about the backgrounds, families, hobbies and interests of each person that he encountered.
Kent was a member of the board of My Friend’s Place for many years, recorded books for the visually impaired, and worked at the Pearson Professional Center after his retirement from Bangor Community College.
Kent is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara; sister Kathleen Nimrod of Cedar Falls, Iowa; daughter Laura Artesani & son-in-law Jim Artesani; son Shawn Smith; son Steve Smith & daughter-in-law Judy Smith; grandchildren and their partners: Randy Rand & Meg Kenney, Todd & Destiny Rand, Emily & Sam Walton, and Carolyn Artesani; great-grandchildren Bailey Bernier, Aidan, Owen & Lily Rand, Tyler Kenney, Brooklyn and McKenna Rand, and Bennett Walton, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Wayne Smith of Dallas, TX and Gene Smith of St. Louis, MO. Kent treasured his enduring friendships with Aurora University friends Don Carver, Roger & Marilyn Parolini, Butch & Ginny Merritt, Darrell & Jackie Storholt, and Bill & Marty Nickerson. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Alyssa, Randy, Julie, Becca and Janice from Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, and especially to Nurse Mariah for her devoted attention to Kent. At Kent’s request, there will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orono United Methodist Church, 36 Oak St., Orono ME 04473, oronoumc.org and My Friend’s Place, 703 Essex St., Bangor, ME 04401, myfriendsplaceprogram.com. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
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