Seth Robert Reice, Ph.D., 67, of Carrboro, N.C., died at his home late Tuesday night, Dec. 23, surrounded by love. Funeral services were held at Judea Reform Congregation in Durham, N.C. on Friday, Dec. 26; burial followed at the Old Carrboro Cemetery. Shiva will be held in North Carolina and Overland Park. Shiva will take place in Overland Park at Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th St., 66209 on Tuesday, Dec. 30; Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1, all at 7 p.m.
The family suggests donations to Congregation Beth Torah; Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Road, Durham, NC 27705, and/or UNC Hospice, P.O Box 1077, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Dr. Reice was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn, Albert and Sylvie Reice. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Evans; his daughter, Rabbi Rebecca Reice of Congregation Beth Torah (Asher Lazarus); his step-children, Dr. Aubrey Evans (Traci Connor), Aysha Ault (Adam Ault), and Shade Evans; his grandchildren Aubrey Ella, Claire, Cooper and Elyse; and his siblings, Naomi Buchwald (Don Buchwald), Andrew Reice, Richard Reice, and Milo Reice (Carol Chenoweth); as well as countless colleagues and students.
Dr. Reice grew up in New York City, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Rochester (high honors in biology) in 1969, and doctorate from Michigan State University (zoology) in 1973. He served on the faculty of the Biology Department at UNC from 1973-2011 (retired). He served as Chairman, Curriculum in Ecology from 1986-1996, in addition to his treasured teaching and research responsibilities. During his 38 years as a professor, he taught over 1,000 students, published numerous articles in a variety of journals, including the American Scientist (1994) and authored a book about environmental disturbances and their role in bringing balance to an ecosystem, “The Silver Lining” (2001). In addition to his role as associate professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, he also served as visiting professor at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; UNC-Honors Semester, London, England; Semester at Sea, worldwide; and UNC-Summer Session, Brazil.
In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Reice was an excellent cook who loved reading, singing, dancing, traveling, walking and running, camping and backpacking, and collecting carved birds. He valued hearing and telling stories, giving and receiving laughs and smiles throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, students and the ecological scientific community.