Lt. Gen. Raphael Dean Tice

Raphael Dean Tice peacefully passed away on August 6, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Eunice Miriam Suddarth Tice. He is already greatly missed, but his family rejoices in the knowledge that Dean and Eunice are together again.

Born December 4, 1927, in Topeka, Kansas, to Arthur Taylor and Mamie (McDonald) Tice, Dean and his 6 brothers and 2 sisters grew up on a vegetable farm just outside of town. Dean graduated from Seaman High School, class of 1945, and married his sweetheart, Eunice, on December 23, 1946.

Dean enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1945 and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1947. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Military Science from the University of Maryland in 1963, and an MBA from George Washington University in 1970. He was a proud member of the American Legion and achieved the highest degree in Freemasonry.

A career that spanned four decades took the Tice family across the United States and around the world. Thanks to several tours at the Pentagon, homebase became Alexandria, Virginia, though the family made the drive back to Topeka as often as possible.

Notably, Dean served as a member of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam prior to completing a combat tour in Vietnam from 1967-1968. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1972 and commanded the prestigious Berlin Brigade (1974–76). He was promoted to Major General in 1976 and led the 3rd Infantry Division based in Würzburg, Germany (1977–79). In senior Pentagon roles (1979–85), Dean served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for military personnel and force management, where he oversaw policy and force management, including Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs across the military. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1981. In 1986, after an initial retirement, Dean was recalled by President Reagan to head the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Enforcement.

Dean's awards and decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal with V device (7 awards), Air Medal with V device (and 6 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Distinguished Civil Service Award.

After leaving government service, Dean served as Executive Director of the National Recreation and Park Association, guiding the organization through significant growth and strengthening its impact nationwide. He was the most-traveled NRPA executive director, making appearances in all 50 states to promote the benefits of parks and recreation. He testified before Congress, met with U.S. presidents and White House officials, and established the association's international presence through protocol agreements with seven nations.

Retiring from his second career in 2001, Dean was finally able to enjoy the house he built in Round Hill, Virginia. He spent most of time in the yard – planting flowers, tending to the vegetable garden, and trying to protect his hard work from rabbits and deer. He and Eunice spent hours every day watching the birds and deer in the backyard.

Dean is survived by his children, Karen Tice Claterbos, and Bill Tice (Michelle); five grandchildren, Barbara Kelly (David), Jane Linton (Brandon), Taylor Tice (Abbey), Alyssa Robinson (Kyle), and Hunter Tice; and six great-grandchildren, Alexander, Luke, Claire, Millie, Sawyer, and Mclaine.

A memorial service will be held at a to be determined date, then Dean will be laid to rest alongside his beloved Eunice at Arlington National Cemetery.