A Legend Among Yardmasters: Remembering Brother Richard A. “Smitty” Smith

With deep respect for the powerful impact that he left on our union and his enduring legacy, SMART-TD announces the passing of Brother Richard A. “Smitty” Smith (Local 1973, Chicago, Ill.), who passed away on May 4, 2026, at the age of 81.

Renowned as a Yardmaster legend who trained many of the craft’s current leadership, “Smitty” (as he was known to his brothers and sisters) was devoted to his work and most importantly, his family.

In fact, he was so deeply committed to both areas of his life that two of his three sons, Matthew and Monroe, followed in their father’s footsteps and went to work on the railroad themselves as a Yardmaster and Engineer, respectively, both for Norfolk Southern.

Innate Work Ethic Sets the Stage for More Than Four Decades on the Railroad

Smitty’s dedication to his work was on full display at an early age. By the time he was 8 years old, he was working as a food and supply delivery boy in his neighborhood when a simple paper route would have been more than enough responsibility for most other children his age!

After serving in the United States Marine Corps from December 1961 through December 1964, he returned home and went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad and then Penn Central after the merger with New York Central. After that, he worked for Conrail and eventually CSX. During this time, he began crafting the legacy that would come to define his 44 years on the railroad.

Fellow Yardmaster and Local 1973 President Dan Weir fondly recalled some of his first interactions with Smitty and the values that he instilled in him as a young railroader.

“Amongst the old heads, Smitty was one of the greatest! I started training as a Yardmaster in late 1995, and he was my first stop to get qualified,” Weir said. “He taught me not just the basics, but the politics and the patience and also the finesse that comes with being a Yardmaster, and I have never forgotten those core values. I feel that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the lessons that he instilled in me.”

A Devoted Family Man Who Loved the Great Outdoors

Beyond the railroad, Smitty was fond of the great outdoors, including fishing, pigeon racing, and raising a host of animals, including ducks, rabbits, and pheasants.

But above all else, he was a family man: a dedicated husband and father who took pride in his work and showed up when it mattered, values he was committed to instilling in his own children.

He is survived by his sons Mark, Matthew, and Monroe Smith, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and one sister. His wife of nearly 70 years, Brenda, and two brothers predeceased him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Hillside Funeral Home and Cremation Center (8941 Kleinman Road, Highland, Indiana), followed by a funeral service at 7:00 p.m.

Our union extends its most heartfelt sympathies to the Smith family as they mourn the loss of a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend who left an enduring impact on many of our members.