David Smith

Dave Smith, Chillicothe's "Radio Guy" joins his "Flamingo Lady" at a higher altitude.
David Lee Smith, 76, of Chillicothe, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, after a valiant battle with heart disease.
Dave was born Nov. 10, 1944, in Fostoria, to Lee and Gretchen (Young) Smith.
He is survived by two sons, Kent and Brooke Smith; two daughters-in-law, Rosemary Smith and Carolina Choroco; six grandchildren, Kolin, Hillary, Kurt, Patrick, Viviana and Pablo; sister-in-law, Janice (Rusch) and her husband, Dave Wilcox; and niece, Susan Hershberger. He is also survived by countless people who call him friends, especially Barb and Bill Forthofer, Rich and Sherry Ward, George and Ruthie Boll.
Dave never met a stranger. Within minutes of meeting Dave, most people would say, "Dave Smith?  I love that guy!"
Radio was always in Dave's blood. He worked as a stage hand, ran the PA system in high school, and DJ'd record hops throughout northern Ohio in the 1960's. Dave's radio career began in the early 60's at WFOB, Fostoria as "Barry Martin", hosting the Night Owl Show, working weekends broadcasting Sunday morning church services, then as FOB's morning show host. Sponsored by WFOB, Dave got his operating and engineering training and FCC licensing in Chicago, while living at the YMCA. In 1979, Dave added to his radio resume as the chief engineer at stations WOHO and WWWM, Toledo. Dave shared his engineering expertise with many other radio stations across Ohio and the midwest.
We were all blessed when Dave met Annette Rusch at Fostoria's Hi-Jinx soda fountain. They married in 1965 and shortly after gave birth to Kent, and then, Brooke in 1969.
In 1983, he put his radio expertise to work when, along with Annette, they bought Stereo 94 WFCB, Chillicothe, where he did morning news for 16 years. Along with his radio family, they built it into a great local, community based radio station. His was the voice Chillicothe woke up to for many years.
Dave and Annette sold "B-94" in 1999 and semi-retired. The two traveled the world together, taking their wanderlust on adventures throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America. To fill a love of working with his hands after retiring, Dave went back to school with son, Brooke, to study fine furniture making at University of Rio Grande. He could be found tinkering and creating works of art from wood found along his travels. His heirloom pieces found their places in friends' homes, Chillicothe's Country Club bar and are some of his family members' most cherished belongings.
Dave invested time, talent and his treasures into new radio station projects with son, Kent, in northern Michigan. Dave and Kent could be found driving across the country for radio towers, transmitters and equipment and across Michigan's upper peninsula where he was invaluable helping to build and maintain radio sites.
Dave was a longtime Ross County community leader. He was a Rotarian, Jaycees Citizen of the Year, and even sang Christmas Carols, wearing his boxers, to raise money for the Junior Civic League.  If there was an event, you would see Dave there.
Who you are shows in the things you love. Dave loved and collected radio equipment and music, especially the blues and Jimmy Buffet. He could be seen dancing at Cross Keys on Thursday nights with the Goosetown Astonishers. He was passionate about globetrotting with Annette, visiting all 50 states and circumnavigating the planet. Above all, he loved, loved, loved his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please visit your local watering hole, generously tip your local bartender and tell them it's from Dave.  Visitation, conducted by Haller Funeral Home, will be held virtually at https://video.nest.com/live/xpJYv9zGfO on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 2-4pm.  There will be no public access for the visitation.  First Presbyterian Church will host a public memorial service for Dave on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm, streaming on First Presbyterian's Facebook and YouTube Channels.   When the pandemic lifts, we will celebrate Dave's life at the Cross Keys Tavern, wearing our island attire, and raising a Miller Lite to toast David L. Smith!
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