David K. "Doc" Rice, VMD


David K. Rice VMD (Doc) passed away on November 30, 2012 at the Rouse Home.  Doc was born in Arendtsville, PA on August 19, 1921.  He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Vida, a brother Sam and two sisters, Miriam and Sarah.  Doc is survived by his wife Alice of 69+ years who currently resides at the Rouse Home.  He is also survived by 3 sons:  Dr. David M. (Mike) and his wife Susan of State College, PA, Dr. Robert M. (Bob) and his wife Suzanne of Rockville, MD, William C. (Bill) and his wife Billie of Kallispel, MT and a daughter, Caroline Sorensen and her husband Gary of Warren, PA.  There are also 13 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren with two more anticipated.

Doc graduated from Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical School in 1945 and moved to Warren in 1947.  For sixty two years Doc and Alice resided in Starbrick, along the Allegheny River, where Doc established his small animal practice at the River Road site and for several years was involved across several PA and NY counties in the practice of large animal veterinary medicine.  During 1955, he served as the President of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.  He also was a member of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Examining Board for 6 years.  He served in the Army Veterinary Corps from 1943-44 and 1950-52 obtaining the rank of Captain.  Doc retired from active veterinary practice in 1992.  Upon retiring, Doc and Alice traveled all fifty states with their 5th wheel, wintering in Georgia of all places.  It should be noted that they did not take the 5th wheel to Alaska or Hawaii.  Also, after retirement, Doc very much enjoyed his large garden and mowing the acreage on River Road.

For years, Doc was active with the choir at the Lutheran Church in Warren but in recent years he was very active with the Presbyterian Church in Irvin.  He was a member of the Conewango Valley Country Club, traveled through all of the chairs of the Elks Club and was active in the Warren Rotary Club for 66+ years.

Following the footsteps of his father, Doc was very involved in the community.  One of Doc's passions (besides playing poker) was politics.  Doc began his political career as a member of the Conewango Township School Board and then the Warren County School Board where he served as President for one year.  In 1966, he was elected to his first term as a County Commissioner (Warren) and served as Chairman for 20 years, retiring in 1987.  He also served as the president of the State Commissioner's Association in 1979.  In 1962 and in following years, he was instrumental in the development of the County's Office of Human Services and over many years helped the Rouse Estate to diversify and offer many services to the community.  For two terms he served on the Board of the Warren County Fair and was heavily involved in judging the horse pulling contests.

Friends will be received at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, Inc., 1003 Penna. Ave. E, Warren, PA. 16365 on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the First Church of the Nazarene, 907 Penna. Ave. E., Warren, on Thursday, December 6, for one hour prior to a memorial service to be held there at 11:00 a.m., with Dennis Ledebur, pastor, Irvine Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Marcus Briggs, chaplain, Rouse Warren County Home, officiating.

At the convenience of the family, Doc will be interned in the cemetery of the Irvine Presbyterian Church with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice of Warren County, the Rouse Memorial Fund, Friends of Rouse and/or the Irvine Presbyterian Church.