Dr. Richard “Dick” Smith
It is with heavy hearts our family announces the peaceful passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, dentist, and ‘character’ at Whitehorse General Hospital with family by his side, on January 7, 2026.
Dick was born in Edmonton and spent much of his youth moving from city to city in Alberta and British Columbia with his parents, Edith Marguerite Condie Smith and Ralph Harford Smith. As an only child, his early school days were spent in a private school in Victoria BC, when his father went to war for seven (7) years. It was here that he developed a distaste for turnips, being served twice daily and cold at breakfast the following day. Friends and family knew better than to ever serve him turnips for dinner!
Dick fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a dentist, beginning his studies at University of Washington in Seattle and graduating from the University of Winnipeg in 1964. He practiced Public Health dentistry throughout Manitoba, and General dentistry in Strathroy, Ontario and lastly in Yukon Territory from 1997 until retirement in 2017.
Dick met the love of his life and best friend Cheryl in Toronto, Ontario on his one and only blind date in 1974. They married in 1975 with Cheryl becoming bonus Mom to Dick’s two children from his first marriage – Megan and D’Arcy.
In 1997 Dick and Cheryl embarked on an exciting new adventure, fulfilling another of Dick and Cheryl’s life-long dreams. They packed up all their belongings and their beloved dogs and moved across the country to Yukon. Dick and Cheryl quickly became part of the fabric of Whitehorse, building a vast group of friends and becoming active in the bridge community. Dick and Cheryl were also recognized as long time and devoted volunteers for many festivals, community, and sporting events.
They basked in their Yukon surroundings and took advantage of all the outdoors had to offer, including multi-day hikes on the Chilkoot Trail and the Dempster Mountains, in spite of Dick’s two hip replacements. Dick delighted in acting as a travel guide to the many family and friends that visited over the years. The incredible scenery and endless wildlife were an inspiration for his love of photography which he captured beautifully in many photo books. As a dear friend said, “Dick found his happy place.” His photo books also captured the many travels they embarked on during their time prior to and after their northern relocation.
Dick was a well-respected dentist in Yukon and thoroughly enjoyed travelling to many of the rural communities to provide general dental care and orthodontic treatment. Throughout his career, Dick continued his dental education in the field of orthodontics, sleep apnea, and temporal joint disorders (TMD). He spent his final few years of practice focused on the latter two specialties, while also devoting many years to his profession as President of the Yukon Dental Association. In 2015, he was elected to a fellow of the International College of Dentists.
Dick was also a dedicated “news junkie” and always up for a lively discussion on current news and events. He was also very well read, and had a quick wit about him. In his retirement years he became a Sudoku expert and spent much time playing on-line, especially as his mobility declined.
Dick leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Cheryl, and his children from his first marriage Megan (Ron) of London, Ontario and son D’Arcy (Judy) and grandson Matthew, of New Westminster BC. He will also be greatly missed by his extended group of friends and in-laws from across the country.
The Smith family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Whitehorse General Hospital, Home Care and EMS for the thoughtful care, support and kindness offered to Dick over the past year.
A celebration of Dick’s Life was held in Whitehorse on Saturday, January 24th, 2026. In keeping with Dick’s wishes, he was cremated in Vancouver on January 26, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society Yukon or the Food Bank Society of Yukon, or a charity of your choice.
Shauna Tompkins
A wonderful man and great dentist. Always there when needed. Loved helping whoever he could. Appreciated everything he did for me.
Cheryl Smith
Hi Shauna;
Thanks for your kind words. And he also appreciated everything you did for him! Glad to hear from Muguette that you are doing well!
Take Care.
Cheryl
FYI-his obituary will be on this site today!
Tara, Rylan and Kieran
We , my small family; Tara, Rylan and Kieran have the absolute privilege to have met, talked, laughed and shared time with Dick over dinners and time. Dick , what an amazingly skilled and talented dental professional you were during your working years. From you and as a colleague I was simply blown away by your body of work and clearly elevated wealth of knowledge as more of a specialist than a general dentist. You served this and many other communities in need expertly and with kindness and empathy. Your heart and humour were enormous. In the relatively short time we became friends I learned a great deal and the community (dental and larger ) has lost one of the original greats. We honour you and will always remember that cheeky grin, knowledge, heart and mind indefinitely. Love and thoughts to Dick’s family and friends all over the world at this time xxxxxxxxxx
Brian Crist and Charlene Alexander
Charlene & I have known Dick & Cheryl since 1998 when we moved to Yukon from Inuvik. Having no grandparents here we appointed Cheryl and Dick as our kids (Andrew and Emily) northern surrogate grandparents – a role they both embraced whole heartedly
Dick was a very well-respected dentist and dedicated to his profession serving as the president of the Yukon Dental Association and being honoured as a “fellow” of the Canadian Dental Association because of all his contributions. He also actively promoted dentistry in the Yukon with his latest project to try and recruit a permanent dentist to Dawson City.
Maybe not common knowledge but Dick lived in Whitehorse when he was 2 years old so returning to Yukon in his 60’s was kind of like a salmon coming back up river. Dick really loved the Yukon, mostly I think his interest in photography got him out to locations like Tombstone Park and Kathleen River were some of the spots that he really spoke a lot about.
Dick was a “dog person” specializing in Norwegian Elk hounds but also very involved in kennel associations during his life. In later years when they no longer had dogs of their own Cheryl & Dick would, and still do provide respite for others dogs which coined the term “the Fairy Dog Mother and the Dog Father”!
Dick had a great sense of humour and was always up for a good laugh even if he might be the brunt of the joke. Dick embraced his name, for example, you could say “don’t be a Dick” and he would smile and say something like……“I know what you mean”
Our families have enjoyed many dinner parties together over the years, but never any turnips – that was tabu! Dick would always remind us if he peeled the potatoes or any other added value, he contributed toward the dinner which often included the barbequing. We always knew that Cheryl was the prime chef but it was fun acknowledging Dick for his part.
In 2008 Cheryl & Dick rendezvoused with us in Tasmania where we toured the island together. I remember we travelled on a road there named “The Smith and Others Road”. Dick found this incredibly funny and he laughed that our family must be the “Others”. Dick and Cheryl also joined us in Mexico three times and also on a trip to Haida Gwaii. Many Yukon friends came along with us on that trip as well as Dick & Cheryl’s grandson Matthew came up from Vancouver. In the following years Dick often spoke of Haida Gwaii and it was clear that he truly loved it there.
No matter the music being played, Dick would always refer back to his favourite “Duke Ellington”. Sometimes at dinner parties I would quietly order up Duke Ellington on Spotify and see how long it took Dick to register, meanwhile I would always get the odd looks from everyone else as if to say…. What are you playing!
Dick made me laugh a lot, for example Dick learned to speak a bit of German somewhere along the way and would often break into some phrases as if everyone could understand – I would always tell him “But Dick we’re not German!”
Dick was quite a card player; we would often play Euchre and he was always quick to point out any “table talk” with Charlene getting in trouble most often. Of note, he also played bridge well into New Year’s Eve 2026 winning most of his hands, this was only hours before going into hospital!
My own Dad would say, “if you don’t have anything good to say about someone, then say nothing at all”. Somehow, I think Dick lived by this as well as I never remember him speaking bad about anyone, just the good or nothing at all.
Dick would always acknowledge Cheryl and how lucky he was that they got together on a “blind date” and ultimately got married 50 years ago.
Dick was a fine man, a dedicated dentist, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a wonderful friend and I would say he made his corner of the world a much better place, an example for us all.
Dick, may you rest in peace and may we all continue to hold his memory alive.
Margaret Goodwin
I’m proud to have called Dick a friend. Both he and Cheryl made my years living in the Yukon very special. I have many, many fond memories of long and vibrant dinner parties at their house – Dick was always up for a debate and we had some great ones over the years. One particular memory was when I was back in Whitehorse housesitting for a friend. There had been a snowstorm and I managed to get the car stuck in the driveway as I was on my way to the Smith’s for dinner. I spent an hour digging the car out and arrived late and harassed. There was Dick waiting at the door with a glass of red wine in hand for me. I remember thinking at the time “now that’s a friend!”. Vale Dick – you will be greatly missed.
Pat Bragg
Dear Cheryl and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing and wish you all my sincere condolences. It is wonderful to read more about his life and he will be missed.
Best wishes and love from 💕Pat Bragg
Clive Sparks
Dear Cheryl,
I only met Dick a few times, but I know he was the centre of your life. You have my condolences as this will be a huge adjustment for you.
Clive Sparks
David Stewart
Just happened to see this and am offering condolences to Cheryl and family. Memories live forever.
Maria. Isabel. (Sousa). McElligott
It with great sadness that I just learned of the passing of my former boss Dr Dick Smith . Dr Smith was responsible for launching my carrier as a dental assistant & employee for 20 yrs in Stratroy. He was an amazing employer, great teacher, & showed great love for his staff & patients. Dr Smith was ahead of his time in his dental care. I will be forever greatful for his great contribution to the best days of my life.
My thoughts & prayers are with his family. Rest in peace Dr. Smith.