Fred Richard Dice, 86, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, at St. Vincent Hospital Hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Funeral services will be Saturday, August 20, 2022, at St. Albert Catholic Church.  A Rosary will be at 10:00 am followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 am.  A luncheon in the church fellowship hall will follow the interment at the columbarium.

Fred was born July 3, 1936 to Fred Dice and Bertha Gladbach Dice in Kansas City, Missouri.  He grew up in Lenexa, Kansas with his sisters Cynthia and Mary Ann.  He went to college in Rolla, Missouri and became a mining engineer. 

Fred met his future wife, Fran Smith, on a blind date in 1959 on St. Patrick’s Day.  Fred was immediately “smitten” with Fran and seven months later they were married on October 17, 1959. Their union produced three wonderful children, Ken, Kathy, and Kelley.  In their life together they lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma (again) and Arkansas.  When Fran passed away on St Patrick's Day 2022, Fred was at her side, holding her hand. 

Fred was a long-distance runner for many years and loved competing.  His home is filled with numerous trophies, plaques and awards.   For several years, every Saturday he could be found at a race, usually coming in first in his age group.  Fred and Fran also participated in the Senior Olympics winning medals in various events.

When Fred was ready to retire, they were living in Pryor, Oklahoma, but after hearing about scenic Heber Springs, Arkansas from their son-in-law Dwayne, they decided to check it out.  Fred and Fran loved the area and in 1998 they built a lovely home overlooking Greers Ferry Lake. They made a host of wonderful, caring friends and never regretted their decision.  For 22 years they enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of Arkansas and the friendliness of the Arkansas people.

Fred became very active in St. Albert Catholic Church in Heber Springs.  He was on the pastoral council for several years and was a 3rd-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  He helped with many fundraisers including the annual selling of pork butts. Fred also helped with the creation of the new church building and parking lot.  He made wheelchair ramps for people in the community, made shelves for the city library, and helped out wherever and whenever he was asked.

Fred, who had always been creative, developed a talented hobby of woodworking that gave him great pleasure.  His hand-made, one-of-a kind cutting boards, trays, “close the box” games, and state-shaped coasters were loved throughout the community. He particularly enjoyed making special-order wood-working items/projects for friends and family. 

Fred was an avid gardener.  He and his family especially enjoyed the Kandy Korn sweet corn he grew every summer.  His garden got smaller and smaller as the years passed, but he enjoyed growing a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. 

Fred loved playing games and was very competitive.  He and Fran played bridge for many years with friends and looked forward to game night with their Newcomer’s group after they moved to Arkansas.  Later, he developed a passion for playing poker and enjoyed Texas Hold ‘Em with his poker buddies and taking trips to the casino to play for some ‘real’ money. 

He tried his hand at wine-making and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was a frequent and valued Red Cross blood donor and his family takes great pride in the gallons of blood he donated over his lifetime.

Fred was preceded in death by his loving wife Fran, his parents Fred and Bertha Dice, his sibling Sister Mary Ann Dice, and grandson Wesley Jared Glasco.

Fred will be missed by his sister, Cynthia Bach (Herb) of Jetmore, Kansas; his children, Ken Dice (Vanessa Foster) of Ft. Worth Texas; Kathy Dice (Tom Wahl) of Wapello, Iowa, and Kelley Glasco (Dwayne) of North Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren James and Theresa Wahldice of Wapello, Iowa, and Garrett and Justin Glasco of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Shalyn Bravens (Danny) and their sons Beckett and Theodore of Austin, Texas; his poker buddies, and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Albert Catholic Church.