Eric . Rice

Dear Linda, Scott, Matt & Kelly - So very sorry for the loss of your Husband & Dad. Eric will be greatly missed by many and especially, by you, his family whom he loved and was very proud of. He and you all were wonderful neighbors in Middleton for many years. We’ve missed you since we moved to another neighborhood! You have our Deepest Sympathy. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure! With Love & Care, Mark & Kris Neuendorf

He was always welcomeng when his daughters friends took over the house. Treating us like one of his kids. And he gave the best hugs! XOXO to the Rice Family. - Caz

“Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Deepest condolences to the Rice family. Lee Caryer, Columbus, OH

Eric was always so nice to me, and he made sure to make me feel welcome. The cottage was beautiful, and I was in awe that he built it by himself. A man of many talents, that's for sure. I haven't seen him a while, but I will always remember our time together; we had a lot of good conversations and many laughs. Eric loved his family so much, and my heart goes out to them as they grieve the loss of such a wonderful man. Godspeed, Eric. Love, Kayla

I first met Eric when I began working for NASA Lewis Research Center in 1989. At that time, Eric was the CEO of the Orbital Technologies Corp. (ORBITEC). I had read his previous technical work with Astronautics Corp. of America, investigating lunar bases and propulsion systems. At ORBITEC, small scale propulsion research was underway and after many discussions and negotiations, our collaborations began. For decades, we’d discussed and thought out strategies for making new technologies successful. Eric always represented a positive outlook and usually would not take no for an answer. His hopes for human exploration of the Moon and Mars were always a powerful undercurrent in his research and marketing efforts. We will miss him and his dreams and passions will live on in the many people he met and inspired. by Bryan Palaszewski, NASA.