Bernard J. RICE

1933 - 2017

RICE, Bernard J. "Ben" Of Centerville, died Wednesday afternoon, December 6th, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Preceded in death in by his wife of 44 years, Julie, in 2006 and a son Mark in 1994. Survived by four sons, John (Tracyleigh) of Pittsburgh, PA, Tim (Angela) of Chicago, IL, Patrick (Erika) of Lapeer, MI, and Rob (Alison) of Cincinnati, OH and 13 grandchildren. Survived also by his best friend and companion of the past 11 years, Judy Haun. Ben was Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Dayton where he taught for 40 years. He held memberships in the AAUP (American Association of University Professors), ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists), and Alpha Sigma Nu (National Jesuit Honorary). Ben was born in Belleville, IL in 1933, the youngest of 8 children. Only his oldest brother, Don, survives him. He eventually had 4 brothers-in-law, 6 sisters-in-law, and 41 nieces and nephews. After graduating from St. Louis University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he came to WPAFB where he served for 5 years before becoming an instructor of Mathematics at the University of Dayton in 1960. Ben did graduate work in Mathematics at Ohio State University and Washington University in St. Louis. In 1978 he was made a Full Professor of Mathematics. In 1972 and again in 1978 he was named Professor of the Year. Ben was especially proud that his wife, Julie, and all five of his sons were graduates of the University of Dayton and that two of his grandchildren are now attending. He wore an emblem connecting him to UD on almost everything he wore! He was a prolific author of over 25 undergraduate and graduate mathematics textbooks, most of them coauthored with his good friend, Jerry Strange. These books were used in over 160 universities in this country and at other schools around the globe such as Oxford University in England. Three of the texts were translated into Spanish. Ben was active in running competition, participating in five marathons and in bicycling; for years he biked to work and took part in long distance biking events. Later in life he was an avid volksporter, where he participated in over 1000 events. After retiring from teaching mathematics, he began a second "career" of 15 years moderating a variety of film courses with the UD Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. In 2006 he joined the NAIM group of Catholic widows and widowers of Dayton, where he met Judy Haun, his "late-life love", and many other friends. Ben was a charter member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish where over the years he served as a cantor, usher, choir member, and on the Parish Council. A Mass of celebration will be held at the Church of the Incarnation, 7145 Far Hills Ave, Centerville. on Monday morning, December 18th at 11:00. Family will receive friends at 10:15 am. A reception will be held immediately following in the Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Dayton or a charity of your choosing.