Dr. Roger Louis Rice

1922 - 2012

Dr. Roger Louis Rice obituary, 1922-2012

FUNERAL HOME

Purdy & Walters with Cassidy

1702 Pacific Ave

Everett, Washington

Roger Rice Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 14, 2012.

Dr. Roger L. Rice, long time Everett area dentist, business and civic leader, passed away peacefully in his Mill Creek home surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Roger was born in Superior, WI on May 4, 1922 to Elef and Carrie Olsen Rice. After spending the first six years of his life in Superior, Roger, sister Millie, brother Walter and parents moved to White Earth, ND where Elef had previously established a homestead. After spending three difficult years farming in the midst of the great depression the family moved to Everett residing in the North Everett/ Riverside area.

Roger's father died 2 years after moving to Everett requiring him to take on various jobs to help the family make ends meet starting at the age of 11 years old. This included selling and delivering newspapers, and door to door popcorn sales. Later he worked for Standard Oil Company and Sears selling shoes. After graduating from Everett High School in 1941 Roger attended WSU so he could join the service as an officer.

He joined the Army Air Force, became a pilot and served as a pilot instructor until the end of WWII. While stationed in Bakersfield, CA he met Marguerite Hegarty (the first love of his life) and they married in 1947.

Following the war he moved to Spokane, WA where he and a friend from Everett formed a business selling wired-in and coin operated music systems to commercial customers. He decided to become a dentist with the encouragement of his wife and an Everett doctor. He attended Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO, then dental school at St. Louis University, earning his doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree in 1952.

Upon completing school he moved to Rockford, IL purchasing and operating an established dental practice. He and Marguerite remained in Rockford for 11 years raising their 3 children Marianne, Patty and Mike and staying very active in their community and the Catholic Church until moving to Seattle in 1963. Roger established his second dental practice in Seattle in early 1963. In December of 1963 he lost his loving wife Marguerite.

Roger continued to operate his Seattle dental practice until 1965 when he built a dental office and purchased a house in the Pinehurst area of Everett. After operating that practice a few years he expanded his office adding a second dentist and a dental laboratory. He eventually retired from Dentistry in 1985 after practicing for 33 years.

Shortly after returning to Everett Roger met the second love of his life, Betty Martinis who had lost her husband a couple years prior and had 3 children of her own: Carolyn, Vince and Denise. Roger and Betty were married in September of 1967 and remained partners and best friends until Betty's passing in 2005. This marriage blended a wonderful family totaling 6 children who have established lifelong memories of many great times together and a lasting love for one another.

In addition to having a very successful career in dentistry and busy home life Roger contributed in many ways to the surrounding community both as a business leader and participant in many professional organizations. This included participation in the South Everett Association (he served 2 terms as president), the Everett Chamber of Commerce, United Way campaigns, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council and the Everett Planning Committee. He was elected Snohomish County Public Utility District Commissioner and served two terms from 1974 to 1986. He was a founding member of Frontier Bank and served on the board of directors from 1978 until retiring in 2003. His professional and social affiliations included a member of: the Society for Preservation of Oral Health (past president), Snohomish County Dental Association (past secretary), Washington State Dental Association (life member), Knights of Columbus, The American Legion, Sons of Norway and Elks (lifetime member).

Roger will be greatly missed by his children, Marianne Rice Reeves, Patty Rice Sulliban, Michael J. Rice (Mickey), Carolyn Martinis Adrian, Vince A. Martinis (Jolene), Denise Martinis Krell (Scott) grandchildren Jason, Megan, Anne, Jeff, Becky, Andy, Tony, Chris, Lindsay, Rachel, and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elef and Carrie Rice, wife Marguerite Rice, wife Betty Rice, sister Millie Pederson, brother Walter Rice and granddaughter Hailey.

In memory of Roger, donations may be made to Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, Everett Transitional Care Services, or a charity of your choice.

Services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday February 25, 2012 at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, 8717- 7th Ave SE, Everett, WA. A celebration will follow the service at the same location.

Arrangements by Purdy & Walters with Cassidy 425-252-2181

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

March 7, 2012

Merwyn BANKS

The Families of Dr. Roger Rice: What a wonderful memorial tribute to an awesome man. I've known Roger & Betty since 1982 when I joined Frontier Bank. Roger's many contributions to the community and Frontier Bank are to be admired. He shared his opinions and respected the opinions of others. We continued our association after his Board retirement in 2003. My condolences to the family for your loss. His presence will be missed.

March 6, 2012

mary pederson

We will all miss you Uncle Roger ....so many great memories you will be missed.

February 24, 2012

Carol Young

My heart goes out to the family of Roger Rice. I had the pleasure of working with him and his lovely wife Betty-(since pasted) approximately 12 years ago. I know Roger has been a good provider, a hard worker and a fantastic business man. I pray his family finds confort in knowing that others are holding them close in their hearts during this difficult time.
Sincere Regards from Carol Young

February 23, 2012

May you find strenght and peace in the memories of you fahter and the support of those who care about you.

February 23, 2012

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

We Sisters of the Holy Names are remembering Roger, his family and friends, with our prayers at this time when his life has changed from mortal to eternal. May Roger be full of peace and joy.

February 23, 2012

Jeanine Long

I served on Snohomish County's only Citizen's Rate Advisory Committee when Roger was a PUD Commissioner so became well acquainted with Roger, and later with Betty as well. He was sharp, fun (as his great smile shows), and accomplished. He contributed so much to our area. It was an honor to know and work with him. My sincere condolences to his family.

February 21, 2012

Roger was a very generous man who contributed unselfishly to his patients, family and community around him. May he be rewarded in reuniting with his family and good friends in heaven.

February 21, 2012

Dyan Newcomer

You will be greatly missed by your family and friends. Rest in Peace!

February 20, 2012

John Edwards

I started seeing Dr.Rice when I was 4 or 5 yrs old we lived 3 blocks from the house in Pinehurst, we met in a very bad way as I was kicking and screaming that I wasn't going to go in the backroom of the office [downstairs in a new made dental office ] and have someone drill and give me shots no matter what, I remember starting to get a upper hand on trying to run when all of a sudden a big strong HAND grabed me and all the fight was done. This big strong guy said just wait a sec. and tell me why you want to go and will see where it go's so after I stoped crying I said I was affraid of the shot !!! and he said if I held still he promised not to give me a shot and not to hurt me either. well with his coaching I went alog with that for all thru my childhood and into my teens. To say he was great is a understatement and to say he was a great man is also a understatment. To me he was what I would love to have been when I grew up because he was just a unbelieaveable human being to me. I am 53 yrs old and nope I still don't like the shots but theres no one who will say they wont hurt the little boy in me so now I get the shots. RIP Dr Rice you will be missed be me and I am sure alot of other little kids like me. John Edwards

February 19, 2012

Neena Blackwell

Loved Dr Rice. The best Dentist ever. So sorry for your loss.

February 19, 2012

Roger had the heart of a lion

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