Martin Russell Rice, 82, of Franklin passed away at Angel Medical Center on Nov. 14, 2007.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was the son of the late J. Clyde Rice and Alice (John) Rice. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Katherine Ann Rice who died in 1979 and, a brother, Milan Rice in 2004.

An arts columnists for the Franklin Press since 2003, Martin has served as choir director for Resurrection Lutheran Church; was a member of the Macon County Arts Association; organized and directed the Lyric Theater Choral Society; taught private voice lessons; donated his visual arts library to the Macon County Arts Association; donated his music library and copies of his 50 published musical works to the music program at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

Profiled by the Hickory (NC) News in 2000, Martin Rice was described as "A Man of Many Talents." Prior to moving to Franklin, he had worked in sixteen states and in Europe as a musician, published award-winning composer, college professor; organizer and director of numerous choirs, choral societies, and theater groups; developer and coordinator of conferences and continuing education, as a local Head Start director; fund raiser in arts administration and arts promotion; restored and managed arts facilities and civic centers; fund raiser for various Native American nations and Congressional lobbyist for same; Lobbyist for ASCAP (American Association of Composers, Authors, Publishers); arts council director; newspaper arts reviewer and profiler of local artists and actors; historic preservation coordinator; and private vocal instructor.

Martin is listed in Who's Who in America (Midwest); was also nominated and chosen as one of the 2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century by the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England, and in recent years honored by the North Carolina State Legislature for his achievements in the arts. He has received eight ASCAP Awards.

He was an alumni of University of Wichita, Kansas; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and received his doctorate from the University of Illinois. He did postgraduate studies in musicology at the University of Erlangen in Germany.

He worked at Brevard Music College, George Williams College in Wisconsin, Roosevelt University in Chicago, Townson State College in Baltimore, Auburn University in Alabama, Shorter College in Georgia, and the University of Michigan.

During World War II, he served in the Army as a Chaplain's Assistant in Germany. After the war, he returned to Germany to organize and direct 50 glee clubs to entertain the troops. He managed the restoration of the Wagner Opera House and observed the Nuremberg trails firsthand.

Among his original opera compositions are Ruth; The Feather Maiden of Tzin, Tzum, Tsan; The Invitation; The Devil Comes to Whittenberg; and The Exam, which became part of the D.A.R.E. Program in the elementary schools and received honors from Nancy Regan, U.S. Congressman Cass Ballenger, and NC Senator Austin Allran.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Karen F. Rice; daughter, Allison Bliss of Alameda, CA; three step children, Dina Awad of Kettering, Ohio, Ramy Awad of Urbana, Ohio and Joseph Rice of Littleton, Colorado; four step grandchildren, Darin Awad, Harrison Rice, Alexandria Rice and Dalton Rice.

Marin Rice saw the world through his generous and giving heart; he supported several environmental, military veteran, Native American, and other charitable causes and organizations. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one's favorite charity.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date to celebrate the life and creative endeavors of this gentleman who truly loved music, literature, and the arts.

Online condolences @www.maconfuneralhome.com

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