Robert Preston Orvis Rice, 78, of Stamford Vermont, died Friday, November 16, 2018 at his home. He was born in Syracuse, NY on July 20, 1940, the son of the late Robert Leutze Orvis and Alma Jean (Gurney) Rice and adopted father Douglas Taylor Rice.

He attended local elementary schools and was a 1958 graduate of Drury High School. He then enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps, and was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an inactive member of the North Adams American Legion.

Robert was a journeyman pipefitter/welder with the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union 151 in Pittsfield, retired in 1996. His trade took him throughout the Northeast and Eastern Canada, working to build and maintain Nuclear Plants, Co-generating Plants and similar large projects.

He became a Mason belonging to LaFayette Greylock Lodge and was Mason of the Year in 2000. He was a Noble with Melha Shrine Temple 144 in Springfield, MA, and belonged to the Temple’s Legion of Honor and the Berkshire Shrine Club. He was also a member of the Stamford Community Church.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice Marie (Miller) Rice, who he married on November 19, 1983.
He leaves his son Robert Preston Rice and his partner Wendy Hemer; step-children
Jennifer Cantwell and husband Michael, Jeffrey Connor and wife Valerie, John Connor and partner Kris Kovacs; and his five adored grandchildren: Alyssa, Spencer, Rowan, Kierra and Gemma, as well as nieces Karry and Erin Nagle.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service to celebrate the life of Robert Orvis Rice will be held in July 2019 at Stamford Community Church. Donations in his memory can be made to Vermont Veterans Home or Shriners Children’s Hospital. To add to book of memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.