It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of Prof Julius Rice on the 1st May 2015, three weeks short of his 93rd birthday, in Great Neck, New York, where he had been living these past fifty three years.
Born on the 22nd May 1923 in VOLKSRUST he and his older (one year) brother Sidney were sent to PBHS by their parents in 1936 and placed in Rissik House Julie was at the time 12 years old and in Standard five. He attended the local English primary school in Sunnyside. (cycled the 4 miles to school daily) Julie’s brother left school in 1939 to join the army and saw action in the second World War
PREFECT
In his matric year Julie was appointed HEAD Prefect of Rissik House. He was also chosen as a school prefect. Something that had always bothered him though, was the way the new boys (Julie used the word ‘New Pots’) were bullied in the hostels. At times the coercion was brutal and they were forbidden from reporting what they were subjected to. Initiated behavior was therefore not allowed in Julies year as head prefect of Rissik House.
CRICKET
he represented the school first team in standard nine and ten, was awarded his colours in matric,(1941) the year he represented the North Eastern Transvaal schools team that played in the Nuffield Week.( he was a reservethe year before) In std 8 he had received his second team cricket colours.
RUGBY
Julie played first team, position fly half, in Std eight, nine and ten. Awarded his rugby colours in both Std nine and Matric.
ATHLETICS
In 1936 Julie won the U13 220 yards title. At the time he was in standard five but as he stayed in Rissik House he was allowed to take part .
1937- std six u14 -won the 80yds hurdles, 2nd in 100 yards, third in 440 yds.
1938 – std 7 u15-2nd in 100yds, 3rd in 440 yds.
1939 – std 8 – u16-won the 220 yds hurdles, 2nd in 100 yds, and 2nd in 110 yds hurdles. Interschool 3rd in low hurdles.
1940 -Std 9 – open-2nd in 220 yds hurdles, 3rd in 100 yds
1941- Matric – won the 100 yards, 3rd in long jump. Interschool event against KES — 3rd in 100 yds.
Represented the school from 1937-1941. No mention in the school records of who was awarded athletics colours at the time.
BOXING
He started boxing in standard eight.
Matric – he presented the school against St John’s –won his fight on points.
CADETS –the 141st Cadet Detachment
He was appointed a student officer in Matric
To add to Julies versatility it appears that he had the voice for the following productions
1938– Gilbert and Sullivans ‘THE MIKADO’. Julie was part of the chorus of nobles, guards and ?
1939– Once again a member of the chorus of production THE GONDOLIERS. The President and Secretary of the Federation Of Amateur Theatrical Societies of South Africa attended and in a letter received by the school afterwards wrote “although we had some misgivings before we arrived, we were enthralled by the production from the rise of the curtain to its fall. Magnificent with the chorus rising so wonderfully to the occasion. Same sentiments apply to the orchestra, settings, costumes and principles”
Mr ALAN McDONaLD
Head of Solomon House Mr McDonald taught Maths at the school and was very involved in Sport and Stage productions. To his colleagues his cheery kindness was always an inspiration. He saw sport not as an aim in itself, but as an instrument for the inculcation of a co-operative spirit, courage and fortitude in adversity and a social sense. He encouraged freedom with discretion and scope for the development of individuality. He would not tolerate lionization or unwholesome egotism and made regular organized sport available to every boy, not just gifted players.
Julie had a lot of respect for him for not only was he the Sports master he also often tutored Julie during the week. Mr McDonald taught Julie HOW TO LEARN, NOT WHAT TO LEARN. Thanks to him Julie attained the grades that permitted his entry into Medical School. In America Julie said many times – ‘if you meet up with a McDonald you will be a winner.’
After twenty years ( 1921-1940) Alan McDonald left PBHS to become a highly respected headmaster of Potchefstroom Boys High (1941-55) Sadly passed awayin 1958.
Julie Rice met VALERIE (she was from Kloof, Durban, sadly orphaned at 11) when she was 16, he 18 years old. A love story of note they got married four years later – (7th July 1945 ). Val worked hard to support Julie through his medical studies at Wits university. His passion though was Psychiatry which he later specialized in. Julie was head hunted by Pilgrim State Hospital (now known as Pilgrim Psychiatric Center), Long Island, America. Julie, Val and their two young daughters Beverley and Leonie arrived in New York on the 1st April 1962. Julie studied Psychiatry at the Pilgrim State Hospital and the New York School Of Psychiatry.
At one time he served as Medical Director of Suffolk County Hospital, NY and was appointed an Associate Professor of Kings Park State Hospital in 1980. He also worked at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre (1980-2007)
At the same time Julie ran a very successful Psychiatry practice from the ground floor of the block of flats the family stayed at in Great Neck, New York.
He retired a few months short of his 89th birthday (November 2011)as his memory had started to fade. His family by this time had grown, both daughters married, 3 grand children, 3 great grandchildren all living in close proximity in New York.
Valerie predeceased him, passing away on July 30th, 2013 after a fairy tale marriage of SIXTY EIGHT years. What a privilege and pleasure to have got to know them both as I did in their twilight years
Julius Rice wrote a book UPS AND DOWNS, DRUGGING AND DOPING Much information was shared in his book including the full story of the drugs that are used and abused in our society today. A number of questions asked as well, for example who is likely to take what kind of drug, how does the addict conceal the problem from his family, the effect of drugs on the embryo and fetus, the effect of drugs on tissues and genes of the user, how safe are stimulants like caffeine, nicotine and tranquilizers, and how effective and dangerous are ‘diet’ tablets?
GOLF – time permitting this became Julie’s passion. Judging by his onetime low handicap of four he certainly demonstrated a talent for the game. Behind the door of his office he positioned thick soundproof foam that helped soften the impact of golf ball hitting padding whilst his patients sat in the waiting room.
A unit on the carpet did wonders for his putting as well.
Julie had a wonderful sense of humour and always found positives in all situations and people.
I ASKED HIM if there was ONE MESSAGE he would want to share with the scholars attending Pretoria Boys High today what would that be. His reply – Tell them everybody is different to everyone else. Everybody is unique. Be yourself. Do the way you believe is right for you, then it is right for everyone.
RIP JULIE RICE ONE OF PRETORIA BOYS HIGHS FINEST SONSBASIL KLETZ (My late dad Issy Kletz (Rissik House 1936-41) and Julie were very close friends at school, and afterwards, when they went their respective paths Julie continued to share stories about him. Julie said that recalling the companionship with my dad was an uplifting memory and unforgettable)