Dale D. Rice

REVISED SERVICE INFORMATION

Dale D. Rice, 86, of Appleton, Wisconsin passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Cherry Meadows Hospice Center surrounded by family, following a short bout with kidney and liver cancer.  A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 17, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Appleton, with Fr. Bill Swichtenberg presiding.  Visitation will be held in the church gathering area beginning at 9:00 AM. 

Dale was born on October 14, 1936 in Platteville, Wisconsin, the youngest son of Delbert and Clara (Batchelor) Rice.  He married Mary Ann Lange on April 26, 1958.

Dale lived a rich and full life.  Following three years of service in the army as a heavy equipment operator stationed in Germany, Dale married the love of his life, Mary Ann, in Kieler, Wisconsin.  He graduated from Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology in Platteville (now UW-Platteville) in 1961 and took a job at McMahon Associates in Menasha, Wisconsin and later Houghton, Michigan while attending further studies towards a master of science degree.  He returned to Appleton and formed Rice & Urban Ltd. (later Rice & Orth, Inc.), an engineering consulting firm, which later became Omni Associates.  He also formed real estate partnerships and was a successful developer in the Fox Valley area.  He retired at the very young age of 49 and spent 20 years wintering in Pine Island, Florida, where he spent many hours boating and fishing the waters of Pine Island Sound.

He was a fine wood craftsman and built stringed instruments of all varieties including Martin-style guitars, electric guitars, banjos, mandolins, mandolas, an electric bass, and a steel guitar.  He gifted many of these instruments to family members.  He was an accomplished musician and lover of music.  He and two local musician friends played bluegrass, country and popular music at venues around Appleton for many years.

Dale had many other interests as well.  He was a private pilot who enjoyed flying his Cessna plane, and was an avid boater.  He was an inventor who owned several patents.  He and wife Mary Ann travelled extensively around the country for many years.

Over the years, Dale was involved in local service organizations, professional engineering organizations, the catholic church, the school board, and bowling and curling clubs.

Dale was a hard-working, down-to earth, humble man who was friendly and well-liked by all. He was also a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Survivors include four sons, David (Paula) Rice, Stoughton, WI, Mark (Cheryl) Rice, Rockford, IL, Mike (Kristen) Rice, Meadow Vista, California, and Paul (Sara McKenzie) Rice, Redmond, Washington; thirteen grandchildren, Chris (Jenny) Rice, Nick (Nicole) Rice, Tony (Amanda)Rice, Patricia Rice, Susie Rice, Jessica (Justin) Aberth, Danny (Colleen) Rice, Perie (Calder) Kaufman, Gabrielle (Andy) Nembhard, Alanna (Carl) Penk, Alijah (Amy) Rice, Lila Rice, and Sydney Rice; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Bob Rice, Keith Rice, Richard Rice, and Kenneth Rice, his sister Midge Curtis, and sisters-in-law Madonna Rice, Doreen Rice, and Pearl Rice.

The family wishes to thank Theda Care Hospital and Cherry Meadows Hospice for their care during Dale's final days on this earth.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests monetary donations may be made to the St. Joseph Food Pantry in Menasha where Mary volunteered for 35 years.