RINDGE — Robert C. Rice, 87, of Perry Road, Rindge, formerly of Billerica, Mass., died peacefully Monday, April 19, 2010, at the Harborside Apple Wood in Winchester with his family by his side.

He was born June 12, 1922, in Lowell, Mass., son of the late Carlton and Alice (Fleming) Rice.
He had attended Lowell schools, but left when the war broke out in Europe.

Mr. Rice served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was attached to the 534 Bomb Squadron in the European / African Theater. He served in northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and the Ardennes.

Following his discharge he passed his general educational development test.
He and his wife lived in Billerica for 35 years until moving to Rindge in 1987.

He retired from Raytheon following more than 27 years of employment
He always had a great affinity for nature.

Throughout his life he enjoyed hiking, skiing, skating, bicycling, all of which he continued into his late 70s.

His hobbies included singing in the Unitarian Universalist Church choir in Lowell, and at weddings and also with his barber shop quartet.

He also enjoyed recycling, cutting wood, tending to his chickens, doing crossword and jig-saw puzzles and hiking.

He most enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His wife of 58 years, Barbara Anne (Carr) Rice, whom he married in 1948, died July 21, 2006.
Survivors include his two daughters, Laurel A. Cameron of Rindge and Heather E. Rice of Seal Harbor, Maine; four grandchildren, Dawn M. Zipps-Eklund, Brian W. Zipps, Lance D. and Becky E. Leone, and five great-grandchildren, Liana J. Eklund., Haley A. Eklund, Sophia R. Leone, Brett E. Leone and Izabella B. Wesolowki.

A celebration of life will is April 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River St. (Route 202 South), in Jaffrey.

His family warmly encourages friends to come and share memories and stories about Bob.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to The Friends of The Wapack, P.O. Box 115, West Peterborough 03468, info@wapack.org.

To view an online memorial, send a condolence to the family, or for more information, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com.