For decades he was the guy you sought out for advice if you wanted to run for local political office.
A veterinarian by trade, a one-time county commissioner, you never really considered him a politician; that label would have seemed somehow derogatory. Instead, he was he was simply a font of common sense.
David K. Rice, or "Doc" to virtually everyone, was the grand old man of the Grand Old Party in Warren County, but respected by those of the Democratic ilk as well.
Are we describing a political power-broker? Absolutely not. Doc was unassuming, polite, quick to smile, sagacious and humble.
But, more than anything else, he was respected. His opinions were sought out even more than his political endorsement.
When Doc Rice died last week, it was if we as Warren County residents and taxpayers were reminded of a time when politics was much more genteel.
Of course there were differences of opinion during those days; dissent and debate has been with us ever since we began walking upright. But, there have been periods when those differences have been worked out without the vitriol and rancor so many of us are so quick to employ.
Doc Rice was a class act in politics and a darn good veterinarian to boot.