Richard Rice

Richard (Dick) Eugene Rice, 85, formerly of Wausau, WI, died October 27, 2023, in Gilbert, Arizona.  He was born March 16, 1938, in Huntington, Indiana to the late Hayden and Lynette Rice. He graduated from high school in Indiana and attended the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point where he played basketball for the Pointers.  He married his wife, Gail Kamrath on October 18, 1958.  Dick began a career in the insurance industry and worked at Wausau Insurance for twenty-five years.  They moved to various locations for his career before retiring in 2000. 

Dick was very active and served on the National Ski Patrol at Rib Mountain for many years.  He enjoyed spending time at their lake home on Lake Tomahawk, where he made great memories with his kids and grandkids.  He was a true outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. 

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Gail in 2011; grandson, Mike Kelly in 2017; and sister, Carolyn Kruger in 1997.  He is survived by his children, Rick (Judy) Rice of Duluth, MN, Jeff (Demi) Rice of Little Elm, TX, Julie (Mitch) Luedtke of Olathe, KS, and Jill (Darrell) Lien of Gilbert, AZ; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.  

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Wausau Brainard Funeral Home, with visitation from 10:00 -11:00 and a memorial service afterward. This will be followed with a burial service in Pine Grove Cemetery and a 1:00 luncheon at the Elks Club in Wausau, WI. 

In lieu of flowers, any monetary gifts will be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his memory.