David William Rice

     David William Rice was born on 19 July 1925 at Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Carl Rudolph Rice and Margaret Blair. David William Rice died on 21 March 2012 at Cape Coral, Lee County, Florida, at age 86 years, 8 months and 2 days.
     His obituary was published on 24 March 2012 in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, printed in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. His obituary stated:

     Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) David William Rice, 86, of Cape Coral, Fla. (formerly of Williamsport, Pa.), died on March 21, 2012. Dave was the fifth of eight children born to Carl Rudolph Rice and Margaret Louisa Blair at his family's farmhouse on Bloomingrove Road in Williamsport, Pa., on July 19, 1925.

Dave was preceded in death by Margaret (Peg) Ann McGuigan, his wife of 47 years, in 2004, by his sisters, Harriet (Rice) Landis and Arlene Rice, and by his parents. Dave is survived by his children and their spouses, Lisa (Rice) and Harry Hulsey, Sheryl Rice and Bob Sczurek, Steve and Connie Rice, and James Rice; six grandchildren and their spouses, Nicole Nichols and Darren Hussein, Brian and Shanna Rice, Jeff and Cheryl Rice, and Maggie, Kate and Will Hulsey; and one great-grandchild, Teegan Nichols. Dave is survived by sisters, Marion (Rice) Wirth, Margaret (Rice) Shafer, Irma (Rice) Goodell and Betty (Rice) Bernardi, and his brother, Paul Rice, and their families. Dave is also survived by his extended family ~ the cabin crew at the Landis cabin in Liberty, Pa.

One of our country's Greatest Generation, Dave proudly served 27 years in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. He served in World War II, piloting several different types of aircraft, including B-17s, C-47s, C-54s, C-119s and C-124s. Dave piloted one of the first flights during the Berlin Airlift, hauling coal. He served in the Korean Conflict, flying C-54s, and served in the Vietnam War from 1967 through 1968, where he was stationed at Binh Thui Air Base. He also taught aircraft engine maintenance for the Air Force, training aircraft mechanics at bases across the United States. He then worked for United Parcel Service for fifteen years, retiring from UPS as a feeder control manager in 1985. After 27 years with the Air Force and 15 years with UPS, Dave enjoyed his next 27 years of retirement. Dave and Peg spent several years traveling, finally settling down in Cape Coral, Fla. Dave loved to fish and hunt. His favorite retirement activities in his later years, by far, included forecasting local, state and national weather conditions (while sitting on his much-loved lanai), casting a keen eye down his canal for boats and wildlife (again, while sitting on his lanai), and pretty much relaxing with family and friends (on, of course, his lanai).

There will be a private memorial ceremony for Dave in Pennsylvania in July. Dave's family thanks Hemlata Flores and Sarah Montanye (Dave's favorite "girls") for assisting Dave over the past few months. They also thank the staff of Cape Coral Hospital's Intensive Care Unit and the staff of Hope Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during his final hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, Florida 33909.