Dr. Donald W. Rice, Associate Dean for Student Affairs from 1977 to 1999 at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, died peacefully in his sleep in Illinois on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. He was 81.
While in charge at student affairs at the college, Rice met and advised more than 4,000 students and was known for remembering almost all of them by name. His warmth, wit, and wisdom helped innumerable students.
Dr. Rice loved to nurture - new plants, new students, and godchildren of his close friends. Although never married, he loved people and was especially proud of helping others like his godchildren. He was also a very private person, and contemplative. Yet, he seemed most happy entertaining others - for example, by making fresh soup and baking bread ("Magic", he'd say). He enjoyed fine dining and traveling- especially finding "precious treasures" while beachcombing. His private wooded home in rural Elgin, Pine Blow, was his retreat from hectic Chicago. His commute never seemed to bother him. "It's never a long trip, if you love where you are going," he said.
The son of an Elgin carpenter, Rice was born July 15, 1925, and grew up in Elgin, graduating from Elgin High School in 1944. He joined the Army Air Corps after high school graduation during World War II and was stationed in Alaska, where he began the unusual hobby of panning for gold.
After the war, he decided to become a teacher and enrolled in the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, earning a bachelor's degree in 1950. He began his academic career as a high school science teacher in Roberts at Roberts/Thawville High School in 1951, where he taught general science, biology, chemistry, and physics.
Because Roberts had no dentist, he decided to attend dental school, enrolling in the UIC College of Dentistry.
He earned his DDS degree from the college in 1959 but discovered that another dentist since had moved to Roberts. Knowing the population of about 400 could not support two dentists, he opened a practice in Elgin and joined the faculty of the UIC College of Dentistry as an instructor, and later assistant professor, in restorative dentistry. He served on the college faculty from 1960 to 1966, when he moved to the University of Kentucky to serve as chairman of the dental laboratory technology program from 1966 to 1969. While in Kentucky, he maintained his Elgin practice by commuting there on weekends.
In 1969, Rice returned to the faculty of the UIC College of Dentistry to teach four-handed dentistry to dental students and assistants, and he also taught restorative dentistry, oral anatomy, and dental materials classes there until 1987. He was named associate dean for student affairs in 1977 and served in that position until his retirement in 1999. Rice retired from his Elgin practice in 1998.
Rice for many years was the faculty liaison to the UIC Dental Alumni Association Board of Directors, and later served as a member of the board. He also was faculty secretary for the UIC College of Dentistry for many years. He received the UIC College of Dentistry's E. Lloyd Du Brul Faculty Achievement Award in 1977, its Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award in 1987, and its Adviser of the Year Award in 1992. Rice also provided dental treatment for indigent children for the Junior Service Board of Elgin; was a past member of the board of directors of the Medical Center YMCA in Chicago; and had been a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Elgin.
Dr. Rice is survived by a nephew, Dr. David A. Rice, also an Elgin U of I dentist. Also surviving are: Sister-in-law, Rose Rice of Morton, IL; Niece, Nancy Patterson of Iowa; Nephews Ronald Rice of NJ; and Gregory Rice of Lindenhurst, IL, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Donald was predeceased by his siblings, Stuart and Marcille, and his parents, Albert and Irma Rice of Elgin. Donald will also be missed by his special friends, including the Goodsell and the Wertke families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rice Family Fund at the UIC College of Dentistry, 801 S. Paulina St., MC 621, Chicago, IL 60612. The fund provides low-interest loans to UIC dental students to help them meet their tuition and living expenses during dental school. For more information, call Mark J. Valentino, assistant dean for advancement and alumni affairs, at (312) 996-8495.
Rice requested cremation. A memorial service will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, at Wyndemere Retirement Community, 200 Wyndemere Circle, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 690-6662. Those wishing to send written condolences to the family can send them to the Rice Family c/o the Wyndemere Retirement Community , or via email to RonRice@writeme.com.
Information and guest book is available at www.hultgrenfh.com or 630-668-0027.