Larry L. Rice

RICE, Larry L. Passed away painlessly on March 5th. Larry is survived by his wife, Jeri, his son Sean, daughter Shanon, grandson Declan, granddaughter Breana, son-in-law Matt, daughter-in-law Michelle, cousins, as well as countless friends and students with whom he shared spirit, humor, care, and knowledge with throughout his remarkable life. Larry was born in Phillipsburg, on October 4, 1936. He attended Phiilipsburg High. He graduated in the class of 1954. After high school, Larry attended and graduated from Defiance College before serving in the United States Army from 1960-1962. In the mid 1960's, Larry began his career in education as a teacher at Trotwood Madison High School where he remained until he was recruited by, at the time, the relatively new Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. At Trotwood, Larry taught English, Speech, Film, and theater--as well as directing numerous plays. Larry was pivotal, while at Trotwood, in developing new and diverse curriculum content and structures. These educational innovations can be found today in numerous elements of curriculum models nationwide. Accepting a new position at Sinclair, Larry served as an outstanding teacher, educator and directed several outstanding plays. When retiring in 1995, Larry left Sinclair as the Department Head of the Communication Arts Department--a department he helped build from virtually the ground up. To this day, this department is one of the finest in the State of Ohio. After his official retirement, Larry returned to Sinclair, part time, as a classroom Professor. His connections and bonds to the myriad of students he touched over decades, was a source of personal satisfaction and joy to Larry throughout his entire life. It would be impossible to estimate the number of lives he impacted positively with joy, care, and love. Suffice it to say this number is in the thousands. Larry was a member of the Elks and Moose in Marysville Ohio, as well as the Shriners of Dayton. Larry's desire was cremation with no formal ceremony. Those who may wish to remember Larry with any gift, flowers, or other expressions of love are asked to make a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society.