OBITUARY

Charles W. Rice, son of the late Ellen Perry Rice & Frank Warren Rice was born in Novi,  MI, Aug. 4, 1934 & passed away Dec. 14, 2020. He is also known as Dad, Bing, Uncle Chuck, Charlie & Grandpa Chuck. Charles married Beverly May Wright Rice in 1956. They lived in Albany, NY, Elyria, OH & settled in New Baltimore, MI where they lived since 1966. Dear brother to Frank Warren (Betty), Marshall (Jan), & Rev. Dr. Philip (Charlene).

Charles graduated from Pontiac High in 1953 where he proudly played percussion in marching & concert band. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1958. There he earned a degree in Urban Planning & Landscape Architecture, working in the field his entire career. He retired from the Macomb County Parks & Rec Dept. after 30 years in 1996. There he worked for the Planning Commission & developed the Parks Dept. which created Freedom Hill. As a certified urban & community planner he sought to bring recreational places to Macomb County. Charles was very active in Boy Scouts, continuing the tradition started as a Cub Scout & carrying on through his time in Sea Scouts; touring & training on The SSS Oneida; docked on the Clinton River. He continued Scouting with his son & grandsons, camping & shooting into his 80’s. 

He was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church his whole life; supporting Methodist Men, UMCOR, Nomads & many other outreaches. He greatly enjoyed mission work;  traveled to Haiti with Habitat for Humanity & helped whenever there was a need. Charles could be often found building or fixing any number of things from boat engines to house repairs. He imparts to his family a legacy of enjoying the great outdoors, the Great Lakes, Michigan’s many parks  & especially Lake St. Clair.

Charles was raised on a farm in Novi & enjoyed traveling, boating & spending time with his family. His many trips included The Holy Land, Australia, Hawaii, England, the Lewis & Clark Trail & taking his wife Beverly to Paris for her birthday as well as several cruises to Alaska, the Bahamas & the Caribbean. His later years, he became the primary caregiver for his wife who developed Alzheimer’s. They lived together in their home until early 2020. His hard-working, pleasant, gentle attitude & sense of humor was recognized by all who knew him.

Charles’ generous life will be forever cherished by his wife of 64 years & children; Charles David (Carole Woods), Elizabeth (Janet Neubecker) & Amy Rice-O’Rourke (David) & his  grandchildren; Jesse & Isaac.