James Webster Rice

James Webster "Jim" Rice, 75, of Brevard, passed away on November 21, 2023

"A perpetual seeker of truth and meaning, and great friend of those who shared the quest, Jim died of longstanding cardiovascular problems Nov. 21, 2023.

He came to us from Schenectady, N.Y., a well-rounded scholar-athlete whose search at Princeton led in the spirit of the 1960s to religion and politics studies, to the bass lines in the Nassau Brothers Soul Review, and to the new Stevenson Hall. This exploration continued apace in grad school, where he received degrees from both Harvard Divinity and B.C. Law. Backpacking across Europe fit right in.

For 36 years he practiced law in Houston, first with a large firm and then on his own, often in the health-care field. He also worked relentlessly for depression support groups and performed in amateur music and theater. He tried to raise his kids right, on water sports, motorcycling, and volleyball (an old Stevenson specialty) rather than the law. During his last 10 years, he was in North Carolina for the calm and the four seasons, while keeping in close touch with his classmates.

Jim is survived by his children, Leslie and Adam. Their pride and love for Jim is strikingly like our own, admiration for his intellect, kindness, and warmth in service of the ongoing struggle for wisdom. We miss him deeply."