Rushden Research Group: obituary

Text by A.Boddington in The British Bandsman, 2005
Transcribed by Greville Watson 2011

David W Rice
1934 - 2005

Members and friends of the Rushden Mission Band (Northants) were very upset and saddened to hear of the passing of their valued friend and fellow bandsman David Rice, who died recently. David joined the Mission Band in 1946, when the band, like many others, had suffered losses in World War Two and was trying to re-build. Apart from a period of National Service, he was a playing member and inspiration to all that he met and played alongside, until illness forced him to retire after 58 years with the band.

A tireless worker for the Mission Band, David held several offices over many years, and at the time of his illness, was conducting the younger members in the Training Band, many of whom he had personally taught to play. He was very popular with them all. His daughter Elaine and son-in-law Colin were both playing members of the band, Colin having conducted the band for a time. David’s wife Karon was band secretary for many years, only retiring because of his illness.

The funeral service was held at the Mission church when the band took pride in playing for the hymns and the requested item Someone to Watch Over Me.

David was a real gentleman; in all the years I know him I can never remember him saying a bad word about anyone. A better bandsman never lived.

We are thinking of the family at this sad time.

Unilever Pensioners' Association (UPA Colworth) Newsletter, June 2005
Text by Ray Moule & Paul Baker,
Transcribed by Greville Watson 2012

David commenced employment at Colworth House in 1954 after completion of his National Service. In those early days all the Research and Development work was carried out in the house and its adjoining outbuildings. Harry Wilkinson was Head of Lab and Robin Graham the Manager of Development Division. David's first appointment was as a Process Worker in 'Dev-Div' from where he progressed to the role in which most of us remember him, in charge of the Process Stores - dry materials store, cold stores and packaging stores. This was well before the 'just in time' era so items were usually readily available provided one had the appropriate stores request note! When all the stores on site were amalgamated David moved back into processing and ran the ice cream mix plant until 1994 when he finally retired after 40 years' service. David met his future wife, Karon, at Colworth and they married in 1963. Their only daughter Elaine was, for a number of years, also employed in the Laboratory.

David was a keen sportsman, having played cricket and football in his younger days, and as middle age approached he progressed to the less physical game of table tennis. For 58 years, until the start of his illness, David was a cornet player with the Rushden Mission Band, and was regularly heard playing at the annual Colworth Carol Service helping out the Salvation Army band. For over ten years he was a volunteer with Karon and Dave Sissons teaching literacy and numeracy for the Adult Education Service.

It was a privilege to know David with his willingness to help and his quiet, good humour.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Karon, Elaine, and son-in-law Colin in their sad loss.

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