Donald Winston Rice
Donald Winston Rice
Donald Winston Rice died unexpectedly on Sept. 9, 2020, in San Jose, Calif., aged 80, with a smile on his face surrounded by family. Life had been a rewarding and fascinating adventure. Family, friends, opportunities, experiences and setbacks provided him with all the ingredients to make life eventful and fulfilling.
Don was born March 9, 1940, in Jamestown, N.Y., to Winston Carlburg Rice and Anna Bertha Schultz and grew up in Bemus Point, N.Y. He was an Eagle Scout and the 1954 Jamestown Post Journal Soap Box Derby Champion.
He graduated from Colgate University and married his high school sweetheart, Sondra Lew Rhodes. They spent two years at China Lake, Calif., missile testing center, working on rocket propellants. In 1968, Don earned his PhD in physical chemistry from University of Washington and then worked 40 years in the high tech world from scientist to company founder. When not solving problems, Don spent his time woodworking, backpacking and traveling to wild places all over the world with Sandy.
Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandy; two sons: Dave and Bill; two grandchildren: Hannah and Ben; and his brother, Jack.
Life was a blast for him so celebrate with laughter and a smile. He wouldn’t want it any other way.