Gregory Rice

GREG RICE Click here to view Greg's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- With great sadness we report that Gregory Charles Rice passed away late Wednesday night, February 4, 2009, at his home, after a lingering illness. His passing was peaceful, in the presence of local family and Hospice of Eastern Idaho attendants. Greg was born August 12, 1953, to Charles Merton Rice and Mary Esther Buelteman Rice (now Lunis) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Greg and his family moved to Idaho Falls in the summer of 1969. In the first weeks of his senior year at Skyline High School he became a quadriplegic when he was injured in a motorcycle accident. As a testament to Greg's tenacity, intelligence, and courage, he completed four years of college and received his Bachelors degree from Idaho State University. He immediately went to work for Energy Incorporated (EI) in Idaho Falls, an INEL spinoff company started in 1972 by Charles Rice, Greg's father. Greg was one of the first employees hired by his father when EI was founded and this has been the only employment he has known – through Halliburton/NUS, Scientech, and now Curtiss Wright. Greg was 55 years old at the time of his death. Greg spent the remaining 38 years of his life in a wheelchair. All of us who knew him were proud of and inspired by his indomitable spirit of fierce independence that allowed him to lead a life full of rich experiences and incredible accomplishments. He owned and lived in his own home and enjoyed many hobbies with great enthusiasm. Greg was well known in Idaho Falls for his love of creatures of the outdoors, particularly birds and dragon flies. On good days he could be found at Market Lake with binoculars and bird books, or along the Snake River in downtown Idaho Falls. He had many, many friends who not only offered him friendship but also helped him through a difficult life. In the workplace Greg was a software programmer who over the years was personally responsible for a significant portion of the success of numerous software products. Some of Greg's final words expressed his love and appreciation to everyone – family, coworkers, and friends – who had assisted and befriended him throughout the years. One thing that we could all count on with Greg was that there would be no mincing of words; everyone always knew where they stood with him. Despite his injuries and the hardships they posed in accomplishing everyday tasks that we take for granted, Greg showed up for and lived life to its fullest. Greg is survived by his parents, Charles Rice of Idaho Falls, and Mary Lunis and her husband Ben, of Ashton, four sisters, Jo Linda Finne (Rudy), of Seattle, Gayle Ann Eaton (Larry) of Donnelly, Maribee Sovereign (Carey) of Coeur d'Alene, and Ginny Kuhl (Roger) of Idaho Falls, and three brothers, Steven (Corie) of Portland, Randy (Francine) of Idaho Falls, and Michael (Bonnie) of Lewiston. Greg also had a large extended family with many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly and was loved in return. We will all miss Greg tremendously. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Greg Rice Memorial at the Bank of Idaho. These donations will be used to erect an Osprey nesting platform along the Snake River. Memorial Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge. Following the services, there will be a gathering held in Greg’s honor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, 300 South Capital, Idaho Falls. It is open to all friends and family. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Kris (Nielsen) Pehrson Greg was always kind to me. I first met him when I went to O.E.Bell, (O-my!) After some time went by I ran into him on the green belt with my then little daughter. He told her to "climb on the back!" and took her for a zooming ride! Greg was always kind to me. James McBride jmac25@cableone.net I was always amazed at the things Greg could accomplish. He made the most of a difficult situation and managed to enjoy life. Scott and Krista Robuck We know this journey has been long and hard for all of you. You rose to the occasion with kindness, love, and understanding. Greg was lucky to have you, as you were also lucky to have him. His spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Marti Nelson diron@cableone.net I took care of Greg for about 4 years . . . . well, we took care of each other. I met some of his family and my heart goes out to them all. I know he is standing somewhere watching the big and beautiful birds he loved to watch. Greg educated me in so many ways and I love him for that. He was a great and wonderful man and he will be missed. Bob & LaRae Ferguson Papering3486@aol.com We will miss Greg. He was a truly kind and caring person and the world could certainly do with more like him. We extend our sincere condolences to his family. Bob & LaRae Ferguson Arthur Ford ARTHURRFORD@windstream.net I met Greg in 1984 when I went to work at Energy, Inc. He immediately scared the crap out of me, but I didn't let him know it. He intentionally pushed people's buttons, he was blunt, he was always putting on a rough, hard exterior to test people. If you flinched, you failed the test. I didn't flinch. Greg didn't let many people in. I was fortunate that he let me in. He kept his tender heart well hidden, but was vulnerable to kindness and friendship. He was generous and kind when he let down his guard, which wasn't often. He always amazed me with his mobility and dexterity, all the while being a quadraplegic. I admired the iron will it took to get back the degree of self reliance he had. He never complained, never whined, never used the pity card on me, not once. His personality was so strong that it eclipsed his wheel chair - after awhile, I never saw the chair, only him. When I visited him in the hospital one time, without warning him, of course, he didn't understand why I had come to see him and was, I think, embarrassed that I saw him sick. He was surprised that I cared about him. He and I did so many things together outside of work - and people knew him wherever we went. His love of music and his laughter are what I remember most about him - we laughed about a lot of things - he had a sharp wit, and loved dirty jokes. I last saw Greg about 12 years ago. I made a visit to Idaho Falls with my husband and we were walking downtown when I saw Greg. I hollered to him and we met on the sidewalk. I introduced him to Arthur and we hugged. He looked wonderful, seemed happy, and was on his way to a concert in the park. It was great to see him. I heard this past summer that Greg was not doing well, so I wrote him a letter and told him what a good friend he had been to me all those years ago. I'm so glad I sent it. At least he knew I truly cared. Most Sincerely, Susan Ford (was Metcalf) Jenifer K. Metcalf Greg will be missed. He had a way of making the days brighter when I worked with him at Scientech. I feel fortunate that I was blessed to know him. My prayers are with you at this time. Norm and Judy Main nmain83402@gmail.com We would like to send you our thoughts and prayers at this time and let you know we are thinking of the whole family. Norm has lots of good memories of the times they shared together which will always remain with him. We loved him dearly. Anonymous Greg, you helped me more than anyone knows. I am truly blessed to have known and loved you! I miss you!! John Curry johnwcurry@earthlink.net Greg was a friend of mine. A very good friend, of which I have very few. We went out to dinner often, exchanged books, and talked about everything under the sun. Sometimes, we would laugh till we cried. In the face of overwhelming physical challenge, he was often a shining light. I learned much from him. My memories of him will always make me smile, and I will miss him. I really will. John Melissa Bean, EITC Foundation mbean@eitc.edu Chuck and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. We are with you in thought and prayer. The EITC Foundation Darren Clark clarkd@byui.edu I have many wonderful memories of birding with Greg at Camas and Market Lake. I learned a great deal from him and he will be missed by many in the birding community. Michael Wiegand onwingsof_pearl@hotmail.com I never met Greg in person...but always felt I did. I came up from California in the mid 90's and learned about the birders listserve IBLE...there Greg would post his sightings and insight about birds in eastern Idaho and I learned valuable knowledge from Greg. We became cyber friends and I loved his reports and insights on birds and dragonflies! He will be missed throughout Idaho! Michael Wiegand, Pearl, Idaho, www.habiscapes.com "the truth is out there!" Rich Hentzen rhentzen@srv.net Very sorry to hear of Greg's death. He was truly one of a kind. I had a lot of respect for him. He managed to really live a full life despite the physical problems. Although I did not work directly with him, I worked around him at EI(etc) enough to see he was truly respected for his technical expertise, and also for his "wit and charm." He did it his way!!!!!! Dennis Meier dennisraymeier@gmail.com For as long as I live, I will remember the sound of Greg rolling down the hallway to my office and turning into my office to break up the monotony of working life. "What the ____ Meier," he would say by way of introduction, saying exactly what I had been thinking about whatever I had been doing, which mostly consisted of looking for errors in computer code. Greg, like no person I have known before or since, had the ability to pierce the tedium of everyday life and put it into its proper perspective. No visit by Greg was boring, and no visit was unwanted. Oh, sure, there were times when I cringed to hear what would come out of his mouth, but, unlike the mealy-mouthed circumlocutions emanated by the rest of us, Greg cut straight to the heart of matters: he said exactly what he thought, and he said it without the slightest fear of what others might think. For all the times we chatted about nothing in particular, for all the times that we shared music, for all the times that we enjoyed a beer on the Energy Incorporated patio and solved the problems of life, I will remember you Greg, and I will remember you with nothing but love in my heart. I will miss you buddy; you are truly one of the most memorable people I have known. Dennis Meier Bob Davis rhdavis@srv.net I was saddened to read of Greg's passing. I spent many enjoyable hours birding with him and had missed seeing him out and about the past few years. It was always a pleasure to pull up to the parking lot at Market Lake or Camas and see Greg's van there. I admired Greg for his refusal to let his accident stop him from getting out and enjoying nature. He will be missed. Kim Miller rivercwolf@yahoo.com I met Greg nearly 20 years ago when I worked in the Grand Teton Mall. We became instant friends. Greg would come see me and we would go cruising (zipping) through the mall on his wheelchair. I loved Greg's sense of humor. He could always make me laugh. Greg was the most honest person I have ever known. One of things I loved the most about Greg is there was never any guessing, he just said it straight. Greg and I spent many summer afternoons at the park just hanging out. He was there for me during some of the darker times of my life, for that I am grateful. I loved Greg and will always remember the laughs, the kindness and definitely the friendship. I will miss Greg. Kim Miller Jane Whittington jmwcs@aol.com Brien Whittington and I (Jane Marmo Whittington) knew Greg back in the high school days. We always admired Greg for his excellent attitude towards life and his loyalty to his friends and family. A relative of Brien's just told us about Greg's passing, and we want to send our love your way. Mary Jane Fritzen mfritzen@ida.net With appreciation for the life of Greg Rice, and for his father's service both to Greg and to the community, I send my condolences. My husband Achim Fritzen (who died in 1975) was a teacher at Skyline, who expressed his heartfelt sympathy to Greg's father when the motorcycle serious accident occurred. I want to pass this on to you today. Sincerely, Mary Jane (Groberg) Fritzen George Sawtelle husker.george@gmail.com I have been away from Idaho Falls for 15 years but will never forget Greg and the days we spent at EI. Initially I was amazed at his positive attitude and ability to do for himself. Later I came to know his love of people by the cheer he could bring to any storm. Not withstanding his technical skills with computers. Though Greg expanded my vocabulary more than I was comfortable with, I know he will be missed by the many who knew him. Godspeed Greg. George Sawtelle Ron Griebenow rgriebenow@gpworldwide.com I want to offer my most sincere condolences with regards to Greg's passing. He was a good friend and an inspiration to me. I had hoped to get up to visit him this winter and feel very bad that I waited too long. I wish you all the best . Esther T. Johnson I am so sorry. I had the pleasure of being in Greg's company on a birding trip a long time ago. He was a gentleman, fun to be with, and very knowledgeable. Pamela Allen (Lindhorst) pamall@malagon.com My dad called me this weekend and let me know about Greg. I wanted to send my sympathy for your loss and let you know that Greg was a wonderful person to me when I really needed someone. I was in a car accident in 1986 and broke my neck. Fortunately, there was no paralysis but I was in a HALO for about three months. My boyfriend was also killed in the car accident. I did not really know Greg before this accident, but after the accident he came by and saw me in the hospital and then at home during my recovery. He was a constant source of support and kindness for me. He would drive out to my house in Ammon and spend hours just visiting and make puzzles etc. He was the person who took me out of the first time after the accident and made sure that I got home safe and sound. I lost track of Greg through my own issues and was upset when I got the phone call from my dad letting me know he had died. He was a great friend at a time when I really needed one and I have never forgotten the source of strength he was for me during that time. I just wanted to let you know. Ken & Bernetta Hanson - Ashton, ID A life is like a song we write in our own tone and key, each life we touch reflects a note that forms the melody. We choose the theme & chorus of the song to bear our name, & each will have a special sound-no two can be the same. So when someone we love departs, in memory we find, their song plays on within the hearts of those they leave behind. Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your loved one. Julie & Mike Garcia mijuli50@aol.com Dear Mary, Ben, Chuck and Family, We were heartbroken to learn of Greg's passing. It was always a pleasure to run into him about town. He was always in great spirits and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed greatly. We are so sorry not to be able to attend his memorial service. We are in Mexico. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. With Love, Mike & Julie Garcia Bebe Hitz bhitz@ida.net Dear Mary, Ben & family, I was very sad to hear of Greg's passing. He certainly was an inspiration to me and I'm sure, many others. May all your wonderful memories of Greg help you through this time of grief and heartbreak. All my love and prayers, Bebe Hitz Kathy Anderson wildgooseberries@hotmail.com Dear Ginny, Roger, and family, We were saddened to read of the death of your brother. He sounds like a very brave, intelligent, and interesting person. We will pray for the Holy Spirit to be with you and to comfort you all. Love, the Andersons Robert Buelteman info@buelteman.com Greg was my favorite cousin when we were boys. Irreverent, willing to take risks, a wicked sense of humor - my kind of guy! While I dropped out of touch with him as we grew older, I never lost the connection I always had with his heart. His passing is a loss for all of us, and the Buelteman Family sends our love and prayers to all he touched. Robert Buelteman http://www.buelteman.com Gene Minner gminner@scientech.com My sincere condolences to all of Greg's family. I've known and worked with Greg since 1975, beginning with Energy Incorporated through to Scientech. Greg was a man that I respected for his courage and determination under really tough circumstances. He helped me in so many ways that it would be impossible to tell about all of them. He was one really good go-to guy at times when a coding problem was beyond my understanding. The past year+ has been difficult at times, after he became no longer available to help out. A special time that I recall was one evening in the summer of the early 90's when Eric Hansen and I took Greg on a rafting outing on the Snake River from the Shelley Bridge to the spot where Eric lived near Firth. It was always good to see Greg in the green belt along the river. He loved the out-doors, the birds, and people. I will miss him, as will his legions of friends. Gene Minner Linda (Eberhardt) Mihalka lhenrie@speedyquick.net Dear Mary, Ben & Family: It is with sadness I read of your son Greg's passing. I have thought of you and Ben often of times back at CBER. May you have peace during this time of sorrow. Love Linda