Obituary
Richard A. Rice
November 04, 1933 – May 17, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard at the age of 87 with the love of his life, Berit Kvarnström, at his side. They were together for 19 years. Even though there was a strong attraction between them from the outset, Richard very wisely decided they should not marry and live together because their daily habits and lifestyles were so different. They came to a deep understanding and acceptance of their differences over the years, and their mutual respect grew. Richard was a great favourite with Berit’s friends in Victoria and her family in Vancouver, Munich and Stockholm.
Richard grew up in Toronto, graduated from Ryerson’s Radio & TV Arts Program, and started his long career as camera man for the CBC. He went on to become producer and director of “The National” and “Hockey Night in Canada.” He was also involved in producing many arts programs. Rick continued as Sports Producer until 1986. Over the years he covered many live sports events, including the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. Richard’s beloved wife of 32 years, Joanie, passed away in 1999. They met working at CBC, resided initially in Toronto and retired to Victoria in 1989.
Richard will be especially missed by the people he worked with during his 30 years at the CBC as producer and director: Jan Tennant, George Robertson, Roly Huebsch, Trevor Evans, Austin Jeffries and Karen Wigle. They will always remember countless hours of unbridled hilarity which made working with Richard such a treat. He was very generous with his help, his knowledge and his time. Former colleague John Griffin recalls that, when Richard was single, he loved his TR-6 until he bought his first Volvo. He also loved car rallying with the CBC Rally Club. Richard will also be greatly missed by his life-long friend Blanca Turcott in Toronto, and by his nephew Steve Davis who delighted him with all things Apple over the years.
Richard stayed Richard right to the end, the ever-present producer and fast-minded raconteur who was often way ahead of us in his thoughts. With the comfort of loved ones and family close by, with all the procedures and goodbyes behind him, Richard left this physical world at the end of a long film reel spanning 87 years. We all know that his statement on himself on LinkedIn – “Sleepin’, eatin’, starin’ into space” – doesn’t even come close to what he achieved daily. A great film buff, jazz connoisseur and stock market whizz, Richard was truly online and in the global cyber stream, staying connected with all things large and small, both significant ones and those and less so. His mind never rested, inquisitive as it was.
His cousin Linda McGaw writes: “In our family Rick was one of a kind. He always enjoyed family get-togethers, especially Christmas over the years from large family gatherings to very few of us latterly. One year Rick wrapped his gifts in newspaper from the comic section. He was up to date with a lot of technology, loved his computer, always finding interesting things to pass along. If he wasn’t on his computer, he was watching sports on television, especially football and baseball. We will miss his emails, which seemed to arrive daily. We have happy thoughts in our memory of our time spent with Rick.”
His Victoria friends included his long-time investment broker Stephen Brice; also Derek, a close neighbour in Broadmead, as well as Keith and other friends at Berwick Royal Oak where he spent his last three years in excellent accommodation.
Special thanks to Dr. Rosenberg and his team who cared for Richard in his final years. We are also grateful to Christina Wallin who helped to care for Richard during his last two weeks with humor and kindness.
Richard, we all love you. May you rest in peace.
“I can no longer see you with my eyes or touch you with my hands, but I will feel you in my heart forever.”
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Published in The Times Colonist from June 5 to June 7, 2021
RICHARD (RICK) RICE, retired CBC Vancouver/Edmonton/Toronto Cameraman/Producer/Director “The National” and “Hockey Night in Canada” as well as Arts and Sports Programming, passed away on May 17, 2021. Rick was 87 years old. (Station Break, CBC)