Robert Rice

Robert Hemenway Rice, Jr. Clifton Park- Robert Hemenway Rice, Jr. of Clifton Park, New York passed away on December 14, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Bob was the loving husband of Linda (Ross Rueckert) Rice, whom he married September 21, 1985, and is also survived by his children Kevin Rice (Beth) of Voorheesville, Kathryn Rice Perkinson (Patrick) of Clifton Park and Trevor Rueckert (Daniele) of Schenectady; grandchildren Hadden and Quin Rice, Nora, Mary and Emmett Perkinson, and Leigh and Jack Rueckert; his brothers, Philip Rice (Roberta) of Delmar and Stephen Rice (Nancy) of Bethany Beach, Delaware and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joan Culliton Rice, and by his parents, Robert H. Rice Sr. and Mary Cromie Rice of Delmar.
Bob graduated from Bethlehem Central High School in 1962 and Union College in 1966. After service in the National Guard, he was affiliated with the Albany Knickerbocker News and Schenectady Union Star newspapers, and then began a long and distinguished career in the field of communications and public information, working first in the Sports Information and Communications Departments at the State University of New York at Albany, and subsequently as Director of Communications for the New York State United Teachers.
Bob was a man of great faith and was deeply involved in the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church as a member of the building committee. He was an active volunteer supporting the Northeast Regional Food Bank and senior services in Clifton Park. He was also well known for his sense of humor and adventure. For many years Bob and Linda were members of the beach bums, close friends who traveled the country and the world creating a lifetime of laughter and memories.
Next to his family, friends and faith, Bob's great love was baseball. He played it as a youth, coached it and umpired as an adult, and spent countless hours following his beloved Yankees on the air and in person. As a 16-year-old he won a statewide competition and announced an inning of a Yankees game live on the radio, getting to meet Yankee announcers Mel Allen, Phil Rizzuto and Red Barber.
Bob lived his life with integrity and love, and his family and friends are comforted by the knowledge that the struggle has ended, and he is now at peace.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 11 o'clock Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, 971 NY Route 146, Clifton Park, NY 12065. All are welcomed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to either the Northeast Regional Food Bank or the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church Chancel Choir.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Rice Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com.