Robert Rice

ROBERT RICE...

was born to George and Vera (Cline) Rice on July 26, 1920 in Flandreau, South Dakota where he was raised. During boyhood, Bob worked to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. After his graduation from Flandreau High School in 1938, he attended the University of South Dakota for one year. Bob joined the National Guard to earn room and board money and was called to active duty in the fall of 1940. Enlisted in the United States Army, Bob served during World War II with the 147th Field Artillery in the South Pacific. Following his discharge in June, 1945, he entered Law School at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on the GI Bill. He attended school during the summer months and graduated with his law degree in 1948, the fourth generation of his family to engage in the legal profession. He moved to Cloquet, Minnesota where he practiced. Four years later, he made Pipestone, Minnesota his home and practiced law in partnership with Robert Palmer. Later, he established a law firm with Ted Evans and Dave Christensen. While in Pipestone, Bob served as the City Attorney for a few years.

On February 18, 1956, he married Aileen Nelson who taught elementary school. They had two children: Mary D. Rice and John Rice. Bob retired from his law practice in 1985. In 2010, he moved to Flandreau. His wife preceded him in death on January 26, 2013. After Aileen’s death, Bob continued to live in his home in Flandreau. On Thursday, July 23, 2015, he died at his home at the age of 94 years, 11 months and 27 days.

To his very last day, Bob believed in exercise. He started jogging in 1970 and was no stranger to biking. As a high school student in 1937, he rode almost 300 miles from Flandreau to Winona, MN, on a single-speed bicycle. The trek was spurred by his spirit of adventure and a chance to get away from home. He often reminisced that it was tough, carrying all his blankets, food, and tools in case his bike broke down. He camped out. Sixty years later, at 77, he rode in The Ride Across Minnesota (TRAM), to raise funds to fight multiple sclerosis.

Over the years, Bob served on the Boards of Directors of the Pipestone Federal Savings and Loan, First Bank in Pipestone, and the Citizens State Bank of Arlington, South Dakota. Bob was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. He served as Chairman of the Southwestern [Minnesota] Mental Health Center for 30 years. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6 where he served as Post Commander. Bob was a member of the Pipestone Quarry Lodge #148 AF & AM and currently a member of the Brookings Lodge #0024 AF & AM, being in good standing for 63 years. He was a past member of the Toastmasters, the Pipestone Kiwanis Club and later the Pipestone Golden K Club. He was a life-long member of the current events club as well as a voracious reader and a life-long learner.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his children: Mary D. Rice (Alan Gaynor) of Boston, Massachusetts and John Rice of Brookings, South Dakota. He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and one brother, George.