Tributes to Richard Rice

Following are additional tributes to Richard Rice, a longtime WCG minister, who died July 5. (See the August WN for more coverage.)

Smiling, happy encourager

We remember Richard as one of the most personable, outgoing, caring friends we’ve known. He was our boss for years at the Mail Processing Center in Pasadena, but even though he carried a great responsibility there, he never forgot those under his care. How often I remember him encouraging Lynn and me in our exercise programs. We were forever “running behind him” as he set an outstanding example of diligence in this area of life.

Richard was a smiling, happy, encourager, and so thoughtful. He always remembered us in celebratory times of our lives—when we married, when our three sons were born—I just knew we would receive that call or flowers and gifts.

When we were called to the ministry, he was right there on the phone with his warm congratulations, telling us what a wonderful job we would do. Throughout the years, he kept up that encouragement, making us feel like we were doing a fine job (when in our hearts, we didn’t feel we were).

When Lynn’s dad died last year, he and Ginny thought of us, and he always made us feel so special. I know he probably did this for everyone, but always, we felt his personal attention and interest in our lives.

Ginny [his widow], we love you and are praying for you. For surely, if we are hurting and missing him this much, we can only imagine your sorrow in the loss of your dearest friend, companion and love. God be with you, Phillip, Anthony and Michael [their sons] and your families. We are here for you and will be remembering you.

Lynn and Sherry Hebert and sons

Garland, Texas

Above all, a peacemaker

I worked for Mr. Rice many years as part of the Mail Processing Center in International Mail/Master File Services. Mr. Rice married Barb and me. I was with him in 1982 when he and I spent more than 60 days outside the United States visiting the international offices.

He was a man driven to do his best for God. He demanded the best from his employees as well as himself. We’d spend hours grooming a memo, to get it just right. As much as he felt he must do his best, he was even more pressured by the church’s needs to do the almost impossible. Mail Processing was not an easy assignment. It was the ultimate glass house. Everything you did was on display and open to comment or criticism from any and all sides.

It was the measure of the man that he successfully carried that burden for many, many long years.

It was so ironic (and I cannot imagine how personally stressful) that a man who desired peace so greatly, was then assigned to visit field churches in the midst of the dramatic upheavals as we came into the grip of grace. Another almost impossible job, a job to try to create peace, to try to reconcile some who could not accept reconciliation.

As I have gone through (and am going though) the historical material of the church in an attempt to organize and document it for those who come after, I am struck by the intense loyalty, maturity and commitment of people such as Mr. Rice.

They fought a good fight. They looked to Jesus. They were at times dogged by the petty, the profane and the foolishness of human existence. But they rose above it, and helped create a better place by looking to the One who loves us all.

Mr. Rice always seemed to have his senses directed toward the needs and feeling of others. His antenna was always attuned for possible problems, oversights or things that could cause hurt. He tried above all to be a peacemaker. Because of that, I rarely ever saw him totally relaxed. I hope that in the few years of his retirement, he was able to enjoy and to relax. He certainly deserved that.

I was shocked at his sudden passing. I cannot imagine the abrupt emptiness that creates. I lost my own father this past year to an awful lingering death from cancer. He died at home on the farm, with us, in the place he liked best. I know Mr. Rice liked his family and home and service, and was doing that to the last.

Death is the enemy and I am so thankful that death is conquered through our Savior. I pray all comfort to Mrs. Rice and the family in this trying time.

Ron and Barb Urwiller and family

Lancaster, California

Authentic Christians

I have known Mr. and Mrs. Rice and their three boys since the early ’70s when their oldest son, Phil, joined our class at Imperial Schools in Pasadena. In all those years, the thing that impressed me about all the Rices, under Richard’s leadership, was their authenticity as Christians. I always believed that he was the real deal.

In March, I stayed with Richard and Ginny while conducting a YouthBuilders conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a difficult weekend for me as I had just learned that my own father had fallen critically ill and was on life support. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rice were so encouraging over the course of the weekend. Richard’s genuine warmth and love demonstrated the vibrancy of Jesus alive in him.

On the way to the airport for my return trip home, we had a wonderful discussion about his many years of service. I reflected on his story and felt as though I could have been listening to an epistle, in this case not of Paul, but of Richard Rice. He truly touched many lives and was one of the greatest Ambassadors of Jesus Christ I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.

Jeb Egbert
Frisco, Texas

Richard and Virginia: a good team

We were sorry to hear about Mr. Rice. I worked under him at Mail Processing in Pasadena for 16-plus years. He always had time to talk with you and would never ask you to do anything he wouldn’t do. He was a kind and concerned man. He and Virginia made a good team. Another great teacher has left this earth. His family has our condolences and prayers.

Phillip and Gladys Anderson

Jackson, Tennessee

Empowered with grace

Richard Rice’s Christ-centeredness empowered him with grace and strength. His obvious serenity always made an impression on me. He was at peace with God and with all people. His love for God and for others was contagious. He lived and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ before that became our denomination’s mission statement.

My wife, Nancy, and I feel privileged that God gave us the opportunity to get to know him and Ginny more intimately these past few years. We are praying for his beloved family and are deeply grateful that he has completed the course Jesus gave him to walk in this life.

Kenneth Williams

West Henrietta, New York

Warm, humble, genuine

We think that Richard Rice was one of the most loving, kind, humble, genuine and encouraging people we have ever met.

I rank him next to Barnabas, the son of encouragement. He always made a person feel a sense of dignity and worth and focused one on Christ.

As an African-American who goes way back with both the church and Mr. Rice, I would consider him a great civil rights leader who sought to defend the true character of God within the household of faith.

I will always have a warm place in my heart for the entire Rice family. And of course Mrs. Rice is a real sweetheart. And I (Curtis) will never forget him because we shared the same birthday—Nov. 3.

Curtis and Jannice May
Duarte, California

Thank you from Ginny Rice and family

Words are inadequate to express our deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support that we’ve received from around the world. In hundreds of cards and e-mails, people have related how Richard touched their lives and that they are praying for us.

Many have called to extend sympathy, love and concern for how I’m doing. Some have prayed with me over the phone. God is answering all those prayers, and I have found great peace through the Comforter just as our Lord Jesus promised.

In addition to the support of my church family, my entire neighborhood (45 to 50 families) has overwhelmed me with love, help, prayers and encouragement.

Our God truly is faithful and supplies our every need. Thank you, my dear brothers and sisters for your bountiful love and support. May God bless you all.

Ginny Rice and family

Worldwide network of friends

My family and I are moved by the outpouring of comforting calls, cards and supportive e-mail messages we have received from so many friends after the death of my father.

Tributes in the last Worldwide News generously affirm the impact that Dad had on those he loved and served. This manner of kindness, empathy and acknowledgement has softened our grief.

I want to specially thank the many people who have comforted my dear mother, now widowed after 46 years of marriage to Dad. Knowing that Dad was so loved and appreciated has strengthened her. For this my brothers and I are eternally grateful.

One of our denomination’s greatest legacies is the extraordinary family network, which is shared by our members all over the world. This network of friendship is something I cherish.

Of my father’s many virtues, his compassion for others during their suffering moved him to respond to their experience of pain. Countless were the times when Dad listened to others supportively, sharing comforting words that affirmed God’s mercy and His unconditional regard for them. In this and so many other ways my father leaves behind some very big shoes to fill.

I am grateful to have this opportunity to publicly acknowledge all those who have helped my family and me through our painful loss and grief experience.

Phillip Rice
Phoenix, Arizona

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