The Foundation’s first President, Richard Worthington Smith, elected at the first Board meeting in September 1974, was born in Waynesboro in 1920. In 1938, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve, was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1941, and was called to active duty in 1942. His service was with the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, and at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, for which he received three battle stars. He was a life member of The First Marine Division Association as well as of the Navy League and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

After service in World War II where he obtained the rank of Captain, he studied at the University of Michigan Law School, graduating in 1947. While there, he was a member of the Barristers Society and was elected Chancellor of Kent Inn of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. After graduating from law school, he moved to Staunton in October 1947 and became the associate of Wayt B. Timberlake Jr. in private law practice. In January 1949, he became Mr. Timberlake's partner and the firm was known as Timberlake and Smith.

Members of his firm recall that Mr. Smith epitomized the best of the “greatest generation” earning the respect of his colleagues and staff. A perfectionist himself, he was a demanding but supportive mentor to the young attorneys in the firm. Even in retirement, when he visited the firm he was unfailingly cordial to the firm secretaries to whom he often gave candy as a gesture of appreciation for their work. He was an outstanding trial lawyer yet handled a variety of transactional work as well.

As part of his professional life, he was an active member of the Staunton-Augusta County Bar Association serving as president 1969 to 1970; the Virginia Bar Association, serving as vice president and member of the Executive Committee; and a member of the American Bar Association. He was appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court to the Virginia State Bar Council and served on its Executive Committee as well as a member and chairman of its Disciplinary Board. He was member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Judicature Society, a fellow of the International Society of Barristers, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation. It was said that he commanded a room without saying a word and was universally regarded as the person in the firm who the lawyers wanted to make the important decisions. He retired in 1982 after 35 years of practice.

Mr. Smith’s service in the community included two terms on the Staunton City Council, where he was Vice Mayor and Mayor. He organized and chaired The Stadium Committee which planned, raised funds, and built the Staunton Memorial Stadium and athletic field. He was a former chairman of the Red Cross Chapter, member and director of Staunton Rotary Club and its president 2002 to 2003; member of the Board of King’s Daughters’ Hospital 1971 to 1988; president 1982 to 1988; first chairman of Augusta Hospital Corporation (now Augusta Medical Center) and emeritus member of the Board; and a former board member of SAW Community Foundation. Other community and corporate service included being a member of the Board of First Virginia Bank of Augusta, its predecessor Staunton Industrial Loan, and its successors, from 1959 to 1995 serving as chairman of the Board for 11 years; member of the Board of Trustees of Stuart Hall, Inc. and an honorary trustee 1990-2005.

He enjoyed the outdoors and was an active member of the Ruffed Grouse Society; life member and former board member and president of Shenandale Gun Club; life member of the National Skeet Shooting Association; and former member of the Virginia Allstate Skeet Team. He is remembered as an accomplished hunter, fisherman, golfer, and skeet shooter. From 1947 until his death in 2006 at age 86, Mr. Smith was a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving many years on the vestry and as senior warden and trustee.