Robert L. “Bob” Rice, 83, of Fredericksburg, died peacefully at the home of his daughter in Fredericksburg on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.

Bob was born June 25, 1928 in Fredericksburg the son of the late Earl V. and Martha J. (Rumbaugh) Rice. He married his high school sweetheart, Henrietta Oberlander on Aug. 1, 1948 and she preceded him in death on April, 12, 1995. He was a 1946 graduate of Fredericksburg High School and attended the College of Wooster and Ohio State University. He was engaged in farming with his father and brother and in 1960 he established Rice Music Service which he operated for over 45 years. Bob also performed in several area dance bands for many years. Bob shared his musical gifts with others since the age of 5 and could play twenty-two instruments including the piano, marimba, vibraharp, mandolin and trumpet. He had made his home in Fredericksburg all of his life and was an active member of the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder, Deacon, Trustee, Senior Choir Director and choir member. He was a member of the Fredericksburg Ruritan Club, a former member of the Fredericksburg Fire Dept. and was a library volunteer.

He will be greatly missed by his daughters and sons-in-law, Marsha and Patrick Scanlin of Dublin and Jean and Carl Tharp of Fredericksburg; his two granddaughters and their husbands, Jennifer and Steve Ice and Shaylyn and Jamie Lynch; his five great-grandchildren, Casey, Kyle and Kaden Ice and Carleigh and Drew Lynch and his brother Earl R. Rice of Fredericksburg.

Services will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jack McClelland officiating. Burial will be in Fredericksburg East Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Murray Funeral Home in Fredericksburg. Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691, Fredericksburg Community Library, 108 S. Mill St., Fredericksburg, OH 44627 or Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, PO Box 259, Fredericksburg, OH 44627 

The family extends their sincere thanks to the Staff of Hospice for their compassion and care of Bob. Your kindness will always be remembered.

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