Smolk, Richard Clark, 83, of Zephyrhills, FL, died peacefully at home on November 29, 2019. Born Sept 22, 1936, in Findley Lake, NY to Albert and Mary Smolk, he attended high school in Clymer, NY and Bradenton, FL, graduating from Manatee High School, attended Florida Southern College and served as a medic in the United States Air Force 1957 to 1959. He is survived by his devoted companion, Sandra Hauner, his beloved daughters Alisa (Bryan), Shawn and Gina (Donald) and his cherished grandchildren Brandon, Benjamin, Casey, Patrick, and Kathleen. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marianne Christensen. His long career as a building products manager started in Jamestown, NY at Collinwood Concrete and brought him to Brandon, FL in 1979, working for RC Martin Concrete, and to Panama City, FL, retiring from Ewell Industries. An avid outdoorsman, Richard enjoyed raising and showing horses, fishing, hunting, boating and always having a project in the works. He was a life-long Airstream devotee and especially enjoyed restoring an old "silver bullet" to its former glory. After retirement, summers were spent traveling extensively across the United States and Canada and at his home base in Tennessee, amongst fellow Airstream enthusiasts. His favorite trips were to Alaska and across the Canadian Rockies, where he savored the nature, wildlife, and open spaces. He proudly earned his pilots license and took to the skies in his Piper Cherokee 140. He often said that flying was the only hobby that closely rivaled his love for taking off cross-country with his Airstream in the rearview mirror. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends and will be remembered for his quick wit and humor (especially the corniest of jokes), laughing until he cried and endless generosity.His family would like to thank Gulfside Hospice, especially his hospice nurses, Missy, Laura and Sarah, and his Home Instead caregiver, Javier, for their wonderful care and dedication. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Richards honor to Gulfside Hospice, 2061 Collier Parkway, Land OLakes, FL 34639 www.gulfside.org or to the charity of your choice.A memorial service will be held at Hodges Funeral Home, 36327 State Route 54, Zephyrhills, FL on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 11 am. The family will receive friends before the service, at 10 am. Interment to follow at a later date in Clymer, NY.

Hodges Family Funeral Home, Zephyrhills