Robert 'Bob' Charles Rice, 73

Robert “Bob” Charles Rice, 73, passed away suddenly on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at his home in Somers.

Bob was born on Aug. 19, 1937, in Oklahoma City to Paul and Erma Rice.

He was raised in Pampa, Texas, and graduated from Pampa High School.

After high school, he attended the University of Montana. Bob married Avis M. Oien in Missoula in 1957, and they were together for 53 years.

Bob began his career with Phillips Petroleum in 1957 and retired in 1996, after 39 years of dedicated service. He and Avis moved 31 times in his career, including time spent in Alaska and Norway.

After he retired, Bob went to work as a sales associate at Home Depot in Kalispell, where he worked in the Tools and Hardware Department.

He was the treasurer of the Kalispell Lions Club from 1999 to present, Rookie of the Year in 1997-1998, was Lion of the Year twice, and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the Lions Club’s highest honor.

He also was a hunter-education instructor for several years. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, personal computing, Western art, mint coins and vintage guns.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Erma Rice; and a brother, Kenneth Rice.

He is survived by his wife, Avis, of Somers; children, Brent Rice and wife, Rita, of Evergreen, Colo., Cathy Earles of Billings, and Glenn Rice and wife, Kelly, of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brother, Bill Rice and wife, Velda, of San Antonio; grandchildren, Taylor and Hanna Earles of Billings, and Paul Rice of Evergreen, Colo.; step-grandchildren, Rod Jr., Renee and Ryan Earles; and step-great-grandchildren, Elizabeta, Draven and Emyli Earles, and Shelbie Smith.

Other relatives include Iva Mae, Cheryl, and Brian Johnson and family of Duncan, Okla., Katherine (Rice) Bullock of Pennsylvania, and Judy (Rice) Henderson of Saskatchewan, Canada.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in Bob’s name to the Kalispell Lions Club, Robert Rice Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 321 Kalispell, MT 59903-0321.

The public is invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to leave messages or sign Bob’s book.