Loren Rice

loren rice
Loren Rice - On Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Loren Rice died at his home in Ashby Ponds, Ashburn, VA. of acute myocardial infarction.

Loren was born on February 18, 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Vera and Millard Rice. He and his two brothers, Bob and Paul, were born 15 months apart. The family moved to several different states because Millard was National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans and was required to work in different areas. Eventually the family settled in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., primarily in Virginia.

Loren attended Washington-Lee High School for several years, and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in February 1945. In March 1945 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to Japan immediately after World War II. Honorably discharged on August 15, 1946, two weeks before the fall semester of college he received a phone call from two high school friends who said the Dean of Miami University, Oxford Ohio would admit him if he arrived the next day. This he was able to do and for the next four years he and these friends lived with or near one another or at their fraternity house.

Loren continued his education at Catholic University where he achieved a Masters Degree. His dissertation regarding the effectiveness of disabled employees working in multiple hospitals was published by the federal Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Loren worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with Maryland State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for about 3 years during which time he helped about 80 people with disabilities to become employed. Later he spent 33 years with the Social Security Administration Office of hearings and Appeals. He retired in December 1989. He was satisfied with his career because it involved helping people with disabilities.

Loren and his wife, Beverly, were married in July 1971. Also completing their family was their son, Stephen. Loren enjoyed coaching Stephen's soccer team and the three of them traveled to Italy, the Virgin Islands, and the Western National Parks. Everyone's favorite was the raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for 7 days.

The family skied in nearby areas and at Sun Valley, Idaho and Park City, Utah as well as Grey Rocks, Quebec, Canada. Beverly and Loren toured every year in many countries and five continents. At home they raised vegetable and flower gardens and an attractive bush garden. After retirement they took dancing and bridge lessons and enjoyed these activities for many years. They also began to invest in rental property which they continued to do for the next 30 years.

Loren enjoyed the friendship of his two brothers and their families, getting together annually at their parents’ home, at the beach, golf courses and resorts.

Loren was a man of many skills - lifeguard as a teen, skier, tennis player, and participated in sailing races on the Chesapeake Bay. He took lovely photographs, was a sharpshooter in the Marines and played the clarinet. He had a very discerning ear for music. He especially loved the big band music of the ‘40s.

Basically, Loren was a care-giver. His philosophy was that people should try to have a happy, positive attitude. He believed we should dedicate ourselves to making wives, husbands, children and extended family happy by giving of ourselves to these others. Finally, we should all make a contribution to society in whatever way is available to us. In Loren's case, his career was a calling. It was his effort to help others less fortunate in life.



There will be a private memorial service in the coming weeks.

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  1. Uncle Loren was a wonderful uncle, and a good teacher. Very much a family man, he always played with us as children, and had simple magic tricks and bar tricks. Loren had a great sense of humor. Loaning me his clarinet when I was about nine started me on a lifetime of music. We did many fun things together over nearly 60 years, and he joined us on many trips: beach, camping, golfing, battlefields. Intelligent, rational, self-disciplined, organized, stoic: he remains a man to emulate.

  2. Uncle Loren was a very kind person who liked to tell stories and play games with us when we were little. He also shared a love of the clarinet and jazz and classical music which we related to. I will miss you Uncle Loren.


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