AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin School of Law regrets
to report the passing of Mr. Browne B. Rice, Jr., one of the Law School's great
supporters. Mr. Rice and his wife, Ann Townes Rice, created the "Ann (Townes)
and Browne Rice, Jr. Scholarship Program in Law." Since 1989 the scholarship
has provided $70,000 yearly for tuition and fees, plus a stipend, to eight deserving
UT Law students.
"Browne and Ann have enriched the lives of our students and our community
enormously. We are grateful to have had such a good and generous friend, and
wish his family our best in this difficult time," said Dean Bill Powers.
The Houston Chronicle reported Mr. Rice, Jr.'s death on January 10,
2005, at the age of 83. The newspaper wrote that Mr. Rice, Jr. "was born
on October 14, 1921 in Houston, Texas and was a third generation native Houstonian.
He served 36 months in World War II in the First Marine Division, and was stationed
in the South Pacific. He was highly decorated and received two Purple Hearts,
one at Guadalacanal and the other at Peleliu. He attended Kinkaid School in
Houston and Woodbury Forest School in Virginia, where he was All-Conference
Football. He attended college at Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Texas, where
he was a quarterback for their football team. He married Ann Townes in 1945,
then worked in the oil fields near Houston, before becoming a rancher, and finally
an executive vice-president of a Houston bank. He was one of the founders of
Chimney Rock National Bank, which later became Western Bank. After retiring
as vice-president of Galleria Bank, he spent his time assisting and counseling
many people in their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. He was a member
of the Houston Country Club, Allegro, and several other Houston organizations.
Although he did not attend the University of Texas, he was an avid UT football
fan and was treasurer of the Texas Exes. He donated funds for scholarships at
three notable educational institutions and to various other charities. He served
on the board of directors at Schreiner College for several years."