Rice, Desmond Thomas, P. Eng. On December 5, 2008, Desmond passed away peacefully in Kamloops, BC at the age of 80 years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Louise, his children Anthony Rice (Tricia Cook) of Phoenix, Arizona, Deirdre Rice (Rolfe Horne) of Victoria, BC, and Daphne Willan (Jeff) of Edmonton, Alberta, his grandchildren, Adam and Sean Rice, Tara and Jamie Willan, Liam and Christopher Horne, and his sister Betty Williams of County Tipperary, Ireland, as well as her children, predeceased by niece Edwina Williams. Born on November 13, 1928 in Peshawar, Pakistan to Dr. Henry James Rice, a British Army Colonel, and Lilian Florence Cecilia Rice, he graduated from Trinity College in Dublin. Desmond subsequently worked in Malaya, where he met Louise. In 1957, Desmond and Louise emigrated from Ireland to Victoria, BC and Desmond began his career with the British Columbia Forest Service. In 1968, he transferred to the position of District Engineer in Kamloops, BC, retiring in 1987. Desmond avidly pursued his passion for outdoor sports and shared many hours hiking, backpacking, skiing, canoeing, and sailing with his family and with close friends. He will be remembered as an ardent supporter of civic causes and for his hearty laugh and genteel personality. The family extends a sincere thank you to the staff at Ponderosa Lodge for the care and compassion shown to Desmond over the past few months. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed to the Land Conservancy of Canada, 36 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 400, Toronto, ON, M4R 1A1, in commemoration of Desmond’s love of beautiful wild places. Desmond’s longstanding wish was that no service be held on his passing. His family is respecting this wish. Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com