David Erskine Rice | Raleigh News & Observer

Raleigh artist and writer David Erskine Rice died on Monday, October 20 following a brief illness. A native of Long Island, NY, Mr. Rice had made his home in Raleigh for some 30 years, and was employed by the Postal Service until his retirement several years ago. Prior to that, he studied at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and then lived in New York City, where he attended the Studio School, pursued his career as an artist, and traveled throughout much of the world. He painted landscapes, compelling portraits, and abstracts, and his writings include poetry, a novel, and letters prized by family, friends, and fellow artists.

Mr. Rice is survived by his sisters, Emily Rice Reynolds of Barrington, Illinois and Susan Rice Harper of Commerce, Georgia; nephew Charles H. Harper and family of Horseheads, New York, nephew Daniel E. Harper and family of Glendale, California, and niece Caroline Reynolds of Barrington, Illinois; and by Joe Root of Maryland and Hope, John, Clay, and Mason Fults of Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as a wide circle of cherished family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on East Millbrook Road in Raleigh, and the family will receive visitors at a reception following the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.BrownWynne.com