Donald R. Smythe, veteran, state retiree

Donald R. Smythe, 87, passed away peacefully in his home in Rehoboth Beach with his wife, Ruth and daughter, Elaine by his side.

Don began service to the community in 1954 enlisting in U.S. Coast Guard Reserve until 1958. He then served as patrolman for the City of Wilmington, promoted to sergeant and detective sergeant (1962-70). During his tenure, he became president of the Fraternal Order of Police, State of Delaware. He retired from the City of Wilmington in 1970 and became a field auditor/investigator for the Delaware Department of Labor.  

Don raised three children, Donna, Elaine and David, with his first wife, Jeanette, until her death in 1977. He owned and operated Polly Drummond Hardware in Pike Creek from 1972-81, then later opened Architectural Signage in Wilmington from 1984-94.

He met his wife of 35 years, Ruth Matruder, in the late 1980s and married in 1988 while campaigning for mayor of Wilmington. Together they had five adult children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In 1999, Don was appointed chief investigator for the Office of the Public Defender of the State of Delaware until he retired in 2009.

Donald is predeceased by his first wife, Jeanette Riccio Smythe; daughter, Donna Smythe; son, David Smythe; and stepdaughter, Michelle Matruder. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Matruder Smythe; daughter, Elaine Smythe; stepdaughter, Kim Roop (husband Jay); stepson, Mark Matruder (wife Danielle); grandchildren, Connor Crompton, Alexa Smythe Viola, AJ Roop (wife Meghan), Meghan Roop Reynolds (husband Greg), Amanda Matruder, Ryan Matruder and Lindsey Matruder Pease (husband Gavin); and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 29, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Wilmington, followed by a scripture service at 11 a.m. Interment service will be held privately.

The full obituary can be found at arcarofuneralhome.com/obits.