Robert Rice

After a life of devotion and service to his country, communities, and family, the Lord Jesus Christ called Robert Allen Rice home on November 24, 2025. He was surrounded by family as he passed into eternal life. 

Robert, (Bob), was born on September 24, 1934, in Circleville, Ohio, to Oscar J. Rice and Dixie G. Rice (Baker). He was an alumnus of West Jefferson High School, where he played and lettered in numerous sports; football being his favorite. 

In 1953, Robert began his life of service to his country by enlisting in the United States Navy and serving in the Korean War on the USS Boxer aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier had experienced a fire in the lower deck where service members were trapped. Bob assisted in saving their lives by getting a rope to the midshipmen, allowing them to climb to safety, the last man being his best friend for life, Mickey Nelson. This was one example of the many lives Bob would go on to help save throughout his life of service. 

Following his service in the Navy, Bob transitioned into the United States A Force, serving as a Medic for many years before ultimately retiring and being honorably discharged as the rank of Master Sergeant in the 178th Tactical Fighting Wing of the Springfield Air National Guard, in Springfield, Ohio. One of his many notable accomplishments was breaking the sound barrier General Hoover in a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. 

In addition to his military service, Bob also served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, the Madison County Sheriff's Department, and the Florida State Highway Patrol, where he served on the field at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers home football games. He also served several years as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for the Madison County Emergency Squad.

Bob was married to his high school sweetheart, Doris Ann Collins, on January 4th, 1954. Their children and respective spouses include Meschelle Ann Parsons and her husband, Ralph Parsons III, Amy Rachel Hedrick and her husband, AJ Hedrick, Randy Allen Rice and his wife, Sharon Rice, Douglas Paul Rice and his wife, La Donna Rice, and Robert Jason Rice and his wife, Sara Rice. Bob's beloved wife, Doris, succumbed to a car accident in May 1987, but he is survived by his second wife, Renee Rice, his brother, Jeff Rice, his sister, Janet Autullo, and all of his children and their immediate families including 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, as well as his lifelong friends, Sonny Parsons, and Jack McClaskie. 

Though he is deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him, all can take comfort in knowing he is now home with the Lord. 

A private funeral service will be held at the family's request.