Gary R. Rice
Join us in celebrating Gary—please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Gary Robert Rice, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the age of 66 after succumbing to brain cancer. Gary was surrounded by his loving family in his home on Kiawah Island, SC.
After graduating from Harvard Law School, Gary worked at the New York Federal Reserve Bank for several years. He joined the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in 1985 and made partner in 1992.
Gary was one of the preeminent bank regulatory lawyers of his generation. He provided regulatory guidance to many of the leading banks in the U.S., Europe and Asia and played a key role in some of the most important bank mergers of the time, including the present day JPMorgan Chase and the Toronto-Dominion Bank's expansion in the U.S., as well as critical rescue transactions during the Great Financial Crisis. His representation of clients before the Federal Reserve and other federal agencies established some of the core principles still used in reviewing bank mergers.
Following his retirement in 2011, Gary pursued many hobbies, including painting, playing guitar, bridge, golf, and sailing. Gary was a voracious reader and wrote a blog for several years analyzing political and social justice issues. As chairman of the Kiawah Island Arts Council, he brought many jazz and classical musicians to the island. Gary will be forever cherished for his devotion to his wife and three daughters, his stimulating intellectual conversations, his sharp wit and his sage advice. As a practicing Buddhist, he accepted his death with dignity, bravery and grace.
Gary is survived by his wife of 38 years, Eileen Fitzgerald Rice, and his three daughters, Kathryn Rice, Jane Rice and Carolyn Rice and his grandson, Shai Weber.
Donations in Gary's name and memory may be directed to Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation in New York, specifying brain cancer research at www.damonrunyon.org/donate-in-honor-or-memory.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.