David Rice, GUN, USN

David Rice Resident of San Ramon

David Wingate Rice passed away at the age of 86 in San Ramon on Thursday, May 18, 2006 surrounded by family. David was a San Ramon resident since 1978, and formerly a resident of San Lorenzo for 36 years. Born in Los Angeles on February 16, 1920, he spent his childhood in Berkeley then in Lafayette. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, Class of 1942. He married Dorothy Friend Weeks on January 15, 1943 with whom he would continue a loving relationship for 63 years. In 1943 he received his commission from the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco where he served in the Pacific Theater as gunnery officer and later as communications officer. Dorothy graduated from UCB at the same time he received his commission. David was an elementary school administrator in the San Lorenzo School District for 37 years serving as the principal of numerous schools, opening Lewelling Elementary School, and also serving as principal of Bohannon Middle School, and David E. Martin, Hillside, Corvallis, and Fairmont Elementary Schools. After he retired, he developed a passion for designing and building fine furniture, which he pursued until shortly until his death. David enjoyed backpacking in the High Sierra, was an avid fly fisherman and a gifted gardener who specialized in orchids and begonias. Above all he was a proud and dedicated family man who built a home for his family in Lafayette and a cabin in Cold Springs, CA. Upon his retirement, he traveled extensively with his family and friends including all the lower 48 States and Hawaii, and throughout Europe and the Middle East. He was a proud member of the Mayflower Society and the USS San Francisco (CA3) Survivors Association. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by his wife, Dorothy W. Rice, of San Ramon; sons, David W. Rice Jr. (Frances) of Livermore, William A. Rice (Judith) of San Ramon, Robert L. Rice of Modesto, and daughter, Carol L. Rice (Guy Gettle) of Alamo; brother, Richard B. Rice of Davis, and sister, Nancy R. Benedetti of Castro Valley; sister-in-law, Jeanne Rice of Carmichael; and grandchildren, Arlyn Rice, Ashley Rice, Christopher Rice, Julia Gettle, and Gwendolyn Gettle. Preceded in death in 2003 by his brother, George A. Rice Jr., in 1991, by his granddaughter, Heather Lyn Rice, and in 1936 by his sister, Margaret (Peggy). A reception and celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, June 11, from 2-6 p.m. at the Faculty Club at the University of California, Berkeley.