Emerson L Rice

Emerson L. Rice, age 97, of Wellsboro, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He shared 61 years of marriage with Edna Rose Rice, prior to her passing in 2008, and enjoyed another 15 years of marriage with his current wife, Kathy E. Kyte-Rice, who survives. Born August 12, 1926, in Elmira, NY, he was the son of the late Emerson C. and Mary H. (Kemp) Rice.

To say Emerson’s life passion and greatest love was military aviation and aeronautics in general would be an understatement. Not only did he accrue over 15,000 hours as a Flight Engineer with the United States Air Force, retiring after 21 years of service, but he also served another 21 years of employment with Schweizer Aircraft Corp. in Elmira, NY, retiring once more in 1989. In addition to his ability to identify and diagnose most airplanes in existence, Lou also enjoyed hunting, reading, and traveling in his RV, in which he traveled through all the lower 48 States. He was a member of the Charleston High School Class of 1944, Whitneyville United Methodist Church, Experimental Aircraft Association 553 in Elmira, Canyon Squares for 48 years, and the SMART Keystoners camping group. From 1974 through 2017, he was the caretaker for the East Charleston Cemetery and continued to place flags on the graves of Veterans until his passing.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Kathy E. Kyte-Rice, of Wellsboro; son, Emerson Preston (Sue) Rice, of Tyrone, PA; daughters, Ande (Dennis) Tubbs, of Horseheads, NY, Sandra Usewicz, of Owego, NY, and Janet (Brion) Johnson, of Camp Hill, PA; ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; sister, Lenore Wimbrough, of Mansfield; stepchildren, Susan (Timothy) McConnell, Gregory (Susan) Bryant, and Krista (Steve) Torpy; nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Lou’s name to either UPMC Home Healthcare and Hospice, 32-36 Central Ave., Wellsboro, PA 16901, or the Charleston Baptist Church, 423 Dartt Settlement Rd., Wellsboro, PA 16901.

In keeping with Lou’s wishes, his family is holding a private memorial service this coming weekend and he will be laid to rest in the East Charleston Cemetery, Charleston Twp. The entire Rice family would like to extend a special Thank You to Pastor Ed Siddle and the nurses with UPMC Hospice for their compassionate care and friendship. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Wilston-Currie Funeral Home, Mansfield, www.wilstoncurriefh.com.