Obituary for Robert William Sherman Rice
Robert passed on September 19th surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Malissa of Weaverville, his mother Kimberly (Bill) of Florida, his brothers Jerry (Laura) of Hendersonville and Patrick (Brittany) of Dillsboro, his mother and father-in-law Ann Marie and Carlos Gispert of Whittier, and his niece and nephew. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Rice III of Cullowhee.
Robert was a man of courage and passion, as well as a source of calm. He had a thirst for learning and knowledge and had an endless curiosity that drove him to acquire many skills. He was a fierce friend to have on your side, and always had words of wisdom and a funny quip when you needed it the most. He was a loyal brother, and he was a loving husband.
He was diagnosed in 2007 with an autoimmune illness and did not let that slow him down. He graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva and proceeded to earn his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Western Carolina University. He also took additional graduate level coursework at Clemson University as well as WCU.
He was never the type of man to settle for something that was just okay, when what could be better was out there. Robert was fearless when facing change and challenge and lifted others along with him.
His illness led him to advocate for organ donation, having worked with different transplant teams in the eastern US in order to prepare for his own. He hoped to inspire others to give that gift so that they could continue to help after they were gone.
UNOS is the nation's organ sharing program, and they organize matching donors with recipients across the country. It was one of Robert's wishes in life, to spread how important and life changing being an organ donor was, and hope to continue that in his honor. Please click on the following links: https://unos.org/
https://unos.org/give/#GiveForm
He left an impression on many people, and his kindness and wit reached further than the bounds of his hometown. The world was a brighter place having had him in it and he will be greatly missed.
A gathering with his family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 22nd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org
Robert was a man of courage and passion, as well as a source of calm. He had a thirst for learning and knowledge and had an endless curiosity that drove him to acquire many skills. He was a fierce friend to have on your side, and always had words of wisdom and a funny quip when you needed it the most. He was a loyal brother, and he was a loving husband.
He was diagnosed in 2007 with an autoimmune illness and did not let that slow him down. He graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in Sylva and proceeded to earn his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Western Carolina University. He also took additional graduate level coursework at Clemson University as well as WCU.
He was never the type of man to settle for something that was just okay, when what could be better was out there. Robert was fearless when facing change and challenge and lifted others along with him.
His illness led him to advocate for organ donation, having worked with different transplant teams in the eastern US in order to prepare for his own. He hoped to inspire others to give that gift so that they could continue to help after they were gone.
UNOS is the nation's organ sharing program, and they organize matching donors with recipients across the country. It was one of Robert's wishes in life, to spread how important and life changing being an organ donor was, and hope to continue that in his honor. Please click on the following links: https://unos.org/
https://unos.org/give/#GiveForm
He left an impression on many people, and his kindness and wit reached further than the bounds of his hometown. The world was a brighter place having had him in it and he will be greatly missed.
A gathering with his family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 22nd from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org