Obituary of Richard Lee Rice

Richard “Dick” Lee Rice, 92, died peacefully in his home in Morgantown on July 15, 2016. He is survived by his children Susan White, Theresa (Ron) Rodgers, Steve Rice (Tammy Thrasher), Kenneth Rice, and Sarah (Kevin) Poirier; grandchildren Joanna, Jessica and Sgt. Paul White, David (Jamie) Rodgers, Andrea (Brett) Nelson, and Cody Rice; great-grandchildren Connor and Alyssa Nelson; brothers Joseph Rice, David (Nancy) Rice; sisters Marjory (Ed) Rapking, and Beverly (Brad) Christiansen; numerous nieces and nephews, and caregiver Helen San. He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline Dawson, brothers John and William, sister Mary Randolph, and his parents Brooks and Nora Rice. Richard was born June 24, 1924, oldest son of Elmer Brooks Rice and Nora May Hoover, and was raised on the family farm near Elkins, WV. He served in the Navy during WWII on the USS Kleinsmith. He graduated from WVU with degrees in geology and chemical engineering and worked for the US Bureau of Mines/Morgantown Energy Technology Center until his retirement in 1985. He was active in numerous community organizations including the First Presbyterian Church where he served many years as an elder and deacon. He loved to ski and was past president of the Mountaineer Winter Sports Club. He received the 1994 Community Star Award for Outstanding Citizens for his volunteer work with the Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Historical Society (he was a docent at Easton Roller Mill), Meals on Wheels, Christian Help, The Pilot’s Association, and the Monongalia County Fair where he did electrical work, carpentry, and anything else that was needed. P/C Richard Rice received the George Jones Memorial Award for educational Service from the Mountaineer Power Squadron, where he was an active member and taught piloting and seamanship classes. He taught aerospace classes and was past commander and radio operator for Civil Air Patrol Squadron 47060. He was a life member of VFW Post 548, and a reenactor with Morgan’s Militia. He always had time for his children and grandchildren, who remember the good times and the many places he took us such as camping, swimming, skiing, fossil hunting. Your work is done, your soul is freed From sorrow, pain and earthly need Now let the living ease despair By sharing stories, tears and prayer Memorial services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Morgantown on Sunday, July 24 at 3 pm, with Pastor Monica Styron officiating, and at the Rice Reunion on Saturday, August 6 at Riverbend Park in Elkins at 2 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Meals On Wheels of Morgantown, 3373 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505. Condolences may be left online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com