Darryl E. Smika

Darryl E. Smika, 88, died March 17, 2022, at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Darryl was born July 1, 1933, near Hill City, the son of Fred and Verna (Tuttle) Smika.

Darryl lived in Hays for the last 20 years. Prior to that he made his home in Colorado, Nebraska and North Dakota.

A graduate of Scott Community High School, he attended Kansas State University graduating in 1956 with a B.S. degree in general agriculture and a Master of Science degree in soil fertility.

In 1969, he received a Ph.D with a major in soil chemistry and a minor in plant physiology from Kansas State University.

Darryl was a research leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served at several agricultural service stations in North Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. He retired on July 1, 1988, after 32- 1/2 years of service.

Dr. Smika’s research was conducted on soil water-soil nutrient relations for native and introduced grass production. He also conducted research on dryland soil and water conservation and conservation cropping systems and pioneered research on reduced and no-tillage fallow practices for the Central Great Plains.

Dr. Smika published over 200 articles reporting on his research results. The articles were published in professional journals, experiment station bulletins, government bulletins, progress reports, abstracts, newsletters and book chapters.

He also made presentations at various national and international meetings and at regional workshops, in addition to local and area action agency sponsored meetings throughout the Great Plains.

Darryl married Darlene Faye Wilson on Aug. 16, 1956, at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, Ash Valley. They were married for 26 years and raised four children before divorcing.

On Dec. 19, 1987, Darryl married Jennifer Leaf in Fort Collins, Colo. Jennifer preceded him death in January 2003.

Upon his retirement, Darryl became self-employed establishing Great Plains Conservation Tillage consultant services. He worked alongside his father before he passed on the family farm in Graham County and spoke at conventions overseas on his research.

He enjoyed restoring John Deere equipment and other farm implements. He also enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and former employees and co-workers.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Hays, and was involved in the Stephen’s Ministry.

He is survived by his three daughters Rejeana Greene and her husband, Wendell, Lavona Wolfersperger, and Tava Owens and her husband, Rob; a stepson, Justin Leaf; granddaughter Mandy (Mandeline) Pedigo and her husband, Shawn; grandsons, Nikolas Wolfersperger and his wife, Crystal, and Michael Wolfersperger; two nephews and their families, and several cousins and friends.

Darryl was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marjorie Fick; and grandson, Tony.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., March 26, 2:00 p.m., at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine St. in Hays.