Kevin A. Rice
SPRINGFIELD - Kevin A. Rice, 68, of Springfield, VT, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH after a brief illness.
He was born on October 19, 1955 in Newport, VT to Wayne and Frances (Wright) Rice of Orleans, VT.
He attended Lake Region Union High School in Orleans, VT, graduating in 1973. He went on to attend the New Hampshire Vocational Tech College in Berlin, NH and Vermont Tech in Randolph, VT.
He married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Blodgett of Barton, VT on August 7, 1976.
Kevin worked at Jones & Lamson, Springfield, VT and Fellows Corp. in North Springfield, VT before beginning a 29-year career at General Electric, Rutland, VT as a Tool Design Engineer and Team Leader. While at General Electric, Kevin and his team were awarded the Corbett D. Caudill Award for developing a new methodology for airfoil die design.
Kevin loved fishing, especially on the Willoughby River in Orleans. He also enjoyed hunting, working in his gardens, operating his sawmill and spending time on Mt. Ephraim with his tractor. He was an avid sports fan following all the Boston teams as well as college basketball. Kevin was an accomplished martial artist, achieving the rank of 4th degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate. He also loved cooking. His stews, smoked meats and boiled dinners were among his specialties.
Over the years Kevin and Juanita enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, including Italy, Greece, Spain, Croatia, France, Central America and the Caribbean among others. Wells Beach, Maine is a favorite yearly vacation.
Kevin is survived by his wife Juanita, his two daughters, Laura Rice Seder and her husband Jonathan of Watertown, MA; Ami Rice of Springfield, VT, his grandson Lucas Kevin Rice of Springfield, VT and siblings, Wayne Rice and his wife Nancy of Kennesaw, GA; Karl Rice and his wife Kathleen of Nashua, NH; Karen Blanchette and her husband Brian of South Burlington, VT and Ronald Rice and his wife Mariette of Essex Junction, VT. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Wayne and Frances Rice, his beloved son Aaron Rice and several well-loved family dogs and cats.
An informal memorial will be held at the Hartness House in Springfield on May 18, 2024 from 2pm – 5pm.
Interment will be held at a later date at Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans, VT.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Davis Memorial Chapel located in Springfield, VT.