Ronald William Smith of Otterbein, Indiana, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, at IU Health Arnett Hospital after a long illness. He was born on October 4, 1949, to the late William (“Bill”) and Barbara (née Lisby) Smith in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with his parents, Ron is preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Nancy Smith.
Ron is survived by his siblings, Larry (Nancy [deceased]) Smith, Tom Smith, Linda (Steve) Hinshaw, and Bruce (Andrea) Smith. He is also the proud uncle of Shellie (John) Rider, Sean Smith, Angie Smith, Micah Smith, Casey (Sarah) Bevins, Whitney (Tom) Lazzara, Allyson (Jason) Bevins, Alex Smith, Connor (Ashley) Smith, and Logan Smith, and great uncle of 12 nieces and nephews. Ron loved his family very much and was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. Although he did not live in the same cities as his nieces and nephews, he nevertheless took great pride in their accomplishments and always carried them in his heart. They brought Ron great joy.
Ron graduated in 1967 from Clinton Prairie High School, where he excelled academically and participated in football and basketball, and then went on to attend Purdue University. He enjoyed a wide variety of interests throughout his lifetime, with a special passion for music. Ron played guitar and harmonica in local bands and always loved the time he spent jamming with his band mates. Like his father, Ron was an avid golfer; and he and Bill spent many hours bonding on the links. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of Purdue sports, in particular the basketball team.
Ron had a strong entrepreneurial spirit that impelled him to become a two-time small business owner. His first venture was a collaboration with his father. Together they formed Twin City Typesetting. Although it started in Bill’s home in Mulberry, it eventually moved twice to larger locations as the business flourished. For years, Twin City served the typesetting needs of the advertising agencies and printing companies in the Greater Lafayette Area, as well as Purdue University.
As technology progressed and desktop publishing became increasingly available and sophisticated, the demand for typesetting diminished. It was then that Ron launched his passion project – Smith Sound. His new company allowed Ron to combine his love of music with his love of science – blending the creative with the technological to elicit the best sound possible. Many musicians who benefitted from having Ron’s talent and expertise at the sound board would seek him out after the gig and say, “Wow, we never sounded so good before!”
Smith Sound grew to become a major presence in the community and surrounding areas. Ron and his team of engineers could be seen at any number of events that featured music, from Indianapolis to South Bend, including Destination Jesus, Taste of Tippecanoe, Jazz and Blues Festival, Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering, Brookston Apple Popcorn Festival, Mosey Down Main Street, and Friends of Bob, just to name a few. In addition to running sound, Ron also designed sound systems for Churches, businesses, and many other venues.
What Ron enjoyed most, however, was training and mentoring the next generation of sound engineers and witnessing his employees move on to having highly successful careers of their own. Some of them are employed by Purdue University’s Hall of Music, others run sound for bands that tour the country, and a few have even started sound companies of their own. Ron once commented he was most proud of the fact that he was able to provide these young people with the opportunity of having a well-paying livelihood to support their families.
Ron had a wide circle of cherished friends, too numerous to list here, who could always count on him to give them his help and support whenever it was needed. Described by his friends as intelligent, caring, and funny, Ron’s warm smile, generous spirit, and kind heart enriched the lives of all who knew him. We are diminished by his loss. Ronnie will be missed more than words can express….
No doubt, Ron is Heaven now running sound for the Heavenly Choir of Angels with God telling him, “Wow, they never sounded so good before!”
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to please consider making a memorial donation to the American Kidney Fund.
Visitation will be from noon until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the West Lafayette Chapel of the Soller-Baker Funeral Home located at 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, West Lafayette, Indiana. The service will also be held there beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Please note: For those who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be live streamed through the Soller-Baker website, and a video of the live stream will be available on their site for 90 days.
Online condolences may be left at www.soller-baker.com.
“And when he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night.” ~ William Shakespeare