Richard A. Dice, 78, Was Member of Legislature

Richard Arling Dice died Friday, March 25 at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Conn. He was 78. He was the husband of Constance Sidor Dice.

Mr. Dice was born July 3, 1926 in Mason City, Iowa, son of the late Lila A. and Arling J. Dice. He was raised on farms in Iowa and attended Iowa rural schools (his first school was a one room for eight grades). He served aboard the Destroyer Escort Knudson and in the Philippine Theatre during World War II. After the war he graduated from the University of Iowa, was employed as an accountant-auditor for General Electric Company, graduated from Yale Law School, and received a certificate in securities law from the University of Colorado. He opened his own law firm in Cheshire and Danbury, became general counsel, vice president-legal, a member of the board of directors and executive committee of Cott Beverage Corporation, served three terms in the Connecticut legislature and retired as an arbitrator for the New York, American, NASD and other stock exchanges as well as the American Arbitration Association.

A demonstrated leader, Mr. Dice initially served as president of his local and county 4-H clubs, and was elected president of his freshman and senior high school classes. He participated in athletic and music programs where he won state recognition. After his World War II service, he attended the University of Iowa (then over 27,000 students) where he was elected to (and became president) of the student council and to the board of trustees of all student publications, an honor which still stands. He also participated in many college political, journalistic, fraternity and music activities, where he received honors. Besides serving on legislative committees, he also served on the Connecticut state financial advisory committee and as co-chairman, with Sen. Joseph Leiberman of the bipartisan legislative committee to investigate leasing practice of the state of Connecticut.

In addition Mr. Dice served on a number of boards and commissions, including the University of Iowa and Yale Law School Alumni Associations and the Connecticut State Experimental Aircraft Association. Mr. Dice was elected and served many years as the moderator for the Cheshire's town meetings. He was an avid skier, loved tennis and bicycled extensively in many foreign countries. For many years he owned his own airplane holding a commercial pilot's license with an instrument rating.

Mr. Dice's law practice grew from a sole practitioner in 1955 to a firm of 13 lawyers which served Cheshire and Danbury. He served as town counsel for Prospect and before the creation of the circuit court system as Cheshire's prosecuting grand juror. He was a member of the bars of the states of Connecticut, New York, District of Columbia, U.S. District Court of Connecticut, U.S. Tax Court and the United States Supreme Court, and held memberships in the American, Connecticut and New Haven Bar Associations. He was a real estate broker.

In addition he has held membership in the Farms Country Club, Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, Cheshire Lions Club, New Haven Jaycees and Iowa Masons.

Mr. Dice is survived by his beloved wife, Constance Sidor Dice, of Cheshire, Conn.; his brother Rev. Lee Dice of Wooster, Ohio; son, Kirk A. Dice, daughter in law, Linda and four children (Polly, Kane, Dak and Elle) live in Breckenridge, Colo.; daughter, Dee Ann Dice, and her daughter (Sienna) live in Vineyard Haven; daughter Shelley L. Bauer, son in law, Pete and their two children (Luke and Haley) live in Poway, Calif.; daughter Deborah K. Cebry, son in law, Steve and their four children (James, Hannah, Sarah and Eric) live in Burlington, Conn.; son, Richard (Chip) K. Dice, daughter in law, Bonnie and three children (Greg, Jessi and Taylor) live in Danbury, Conn.

A memorial service was held on March 30 at the Chapel at Elim Park Place in Cheshire. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to: St. Mary's Hospital, Xavier 3 Oncology Department, 56 Franklin street, Waterbury, CT.