Name: Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center
Address: Sun City, AZ

When I was nine years old, my family moved to a house that was three blocks from Stewart's.  He and I were the same age, so we knew each other from the neighborhood and from school: first Bryant elementary, then Hoover Junior High, and finally Central.  We became good friends.   After Central, he went to Iowa City, and I went to Grinnell, which was only sixty miles away.  Every once in a while, there was a concert I'd want to see in Iowa City, and my girlfriend and I would hitchhike the sixty miles.  Stewart would get us tickets, show us around town, and let us sleep on his floor.  More innocent times.

After I left Grinnell, and Stewart left Iowa City, we fell out of touch, so it's been many years since I last talked to him.  I now live thousands of miles from Phoenix, and have just recently learned of Stewart's death.  Writing this little comment on an obituary page seems like a poor alternative to attending his funeral, but it's what we've got.  Somehow, it's important to me that I tell Stewart's brother, as well as his friends from Phoenix, that Stewart had an impact on a lot of people, including me.  I'm not the only one who's written here about childhood memories.  Stewart had a vivid personality that was impossible to forget.  He was good at making friends and better at keeping them.  Even after all these years, I feel the loss.

Stew was my god father and took care of me as a young boy.  I dont have any contact info for his family but i would love to reach out to his brother if possible.  please call me at 480-486-2480. This man was a very big influence in my life. He had a key to our house and was over almost every single day to eat or spend the night. Please reach out to me. He was my dads best friend they worked together for many years. I wish i could of said goodbye but now its to late, and he used to make me so mad i would ask him how to spell a word and he would give me a dictionary.

Stewart was my cousin Mark’s best friend so I feel like I’ve always known him. My folks lived in Phoenix for years so I would see him from time to time. And then my daughter moved to Phoenix so I saw him a little more regularly up to dinner the end of last year. I am sad that he’s not there to reach out when I come to town. He was a good friend and I will miss him. Rest In Peace Stewie!!

I also grew up in Sioux City with Stewart and we all were friends through Bryant, Hoover, and Central.  He was good spirited, easy-going, very funny, and an important part of all our experiences there.  We all went through our lives together -- Hebrew School, AZA, basketball teams, hanging out at the JCC.  Stewart was an important part of it all.   I was very saddened to hear the news of his passing, and my deepest condolences to his friends and family.  

Stu was a wonderful friend to my brother, Robert Raskin, and to my whole family.  He was a great guy and would do anything for a friend.  He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  My thoughts are with all of his family and friends.


 Are used to babysit Stewart yes we just left up the hill in Sioux City. We reconnected after my mother passed away as our families were so close. Stewart kept in touch calling  every couple months telling me about his latest advertising campaigns and sending me samples. We had many happy conversations, and even asked me for my mother’s recipe for cholet.  He was such a loyal friend and had so many friends that anyone who knew him will miss him.

My name is also Stuart.
Stuart Schindler, from Sioux City but Phoenix has been my home for my entire adult life, much the same as Stewart Rice.  Stewart has known me from the day I was born in 1958.  So 61 years of friendship.
Hardly a day has gone by for at least the past 30 years that the two “Stewart-Stuarts” didn’t talk on the phone.  Almost every conversation started out with...and remember that Caller I.D. was a wonderful invention for us:
“Who the hell is this?” said with a sneer, a line from the Ocean’s 11 movie.
“Stewart spelled correctly” was always the answer.  Whatever the subject we’d talk about I can tell you the theme of every one of those conversations consisted of Who could make the other Stewart laugh First and then Who could make the other Stuart laugh the Most for that daily conversation.

When we were growing up in Sioux City, Stewart was best friends with my older brother,  Marvin Schindler, and another Sioux City Legend, Mark Levin.  The 3 boys were the same age and very close.  The Rice and Schindler homes were all of 100 yards apart.  I was lucky enough to be Stewart and Mark’s favorite little mascot and they My Protectors.  Stewart was always so proud of this story:
1968 Halloween night.  After hours of collecting candy door to door a friend and I come to a house close to home, ring the bell, do the Trick or Treat drill and these 4 Jr. High Schoolers who were having a party jump us,  push us around, take our candy and demand we leave or get pounded.  I trudge home now empty handed and when I get home there’s my brother, Stewart and Mark and I tell them what happened.  “WHERE’S THIS HOUSE!” Stewart yells without hesitation.  I show them the house and not only did I get ALL of my candy back, Batman Stewart and Superman Mark made them give up ALL of their candy.  

Now when the phone rings I keep looking to the Caller I.D.  hoping to see the “Riceman” name.  I miss my Protector.  And I miss future stories that will never unfold.

Stewart and I were fraternity brothers and roommates freshman year in Iowa City.  While I left Iowa City midway through sophomore year, and lost touch with most, I have great memories of my  time there.  Stewart plays a special part in them.  Besides various antics, he was the one who got me started on Minnetonka moccasins after a visit to The General Store during a weekend getaway in Sioux City.  He was one of a kind, ready to do anything he could to help you out.  The comments here are a testament to the wonderful person he was.  May we all continue to be blessed with wonderful and fond memories of our friend.

Stewart was a highly complex individual. He played his cards very close to the vest. Mark Levin and I talked about Stewart a week ago and shared memories of when we were all kids living in Sioux City, Iowa. We laughed about wearing German style long coats in the hot summer walking around Sioux City. The surplus store his family owned was a place that always made us smile when we walked in and played army as kids. Stewart will be missed, but thought of fondly by all the people who him as a friend.

I had the great honor of working with Stewart at Bobby Q’s. Within the short time of working with him and talking with him he brought out a sense of joy and complete peace within. Just last Wednesday, I had lunch with him and we discussed life. Told each other our life stories and how we ended up where we are today. I’m in complete shock that this kind and gentle soul has left us but I know that he’s up there smiling down on me. 

Stewart, thank you for making me smile and most importantly laugh! I will miss sitting with you drinking an Arnold Palmer and eating a piece of Carrot Cake at Biltmore! Until we met again my friend....rest in peace. 

Stewart and I were connected intermittently over a span of about 65 years or so.  He is a unique individual and his memory will be with me for the remainder of my days.  He was such a reasonable fellow in all our discussions - even when we saw things from a different perspective.  He possessed an unusual level of integrity and character and I respected him a great deal.  I shall think of him fondly.

Stewart and my brother Jim Bickoff were friends since Jr High.   I didn't get to really know him until I noticed him at  Bickoff family dinners after I was in college.   He has been one of the 'usual suspects' for years, keeping the conversation lively and fun.  I am not sure what those dinners will be like without his stories, his movie reviews, his political observations his tidbits of history.    He has been such a good friend to us. We will  miss him

condolences to his family

Too many memories to recall- whether being called a “bulvan “ or a “momsur “ as a  youth,  being ready to be kicked out of Talmud Torah on a moments notice to hang with others one can only look back with an appreciation of how colorful Stewart was. 
My family friendships go back to Max and Jake Shapiro, Libby and Idell ,  and to our generation.
Stewart was truly a mensh.  Always willing to stay in contact with people.  We would talk often during football season and always would make me laugh.  My fiend of 66 years will be missed. Condolences to Rick.

The Rices and the Baumstens were like family and Stewart was like the mischievous little brother I always wanted. Our parents remained close all their lives. Stewart was so much fun and had a memory like a steel trap, especially about all things Sioux City in our growing up years. I lived at the top of Virginia St and they lived at the bottom, so when the snow was deep, I would hang out there before the long trudge home and it was like a second home. I adored Libby who was a great cook and so stylish. Mike was a lovable curmudgeon. Rick and I were always close being in the same grade. Such a shock to lose someone so vibrant, so young. My deepest sympathy and lots of memories of the whole Rice family.

I'm so sad to hear of Stewart's passing! He was such a unique individual. One of a kind! I always loved our stirring and fun conversations on politics and friends from Sioux City. He always kept me up to date. He was soo fun and funny! Definitely opinionated towards the conservative side, but he always backed it up w knowledge. Stewart loved his family and friends. I will miss him so much! Love ya Stewart!
My deepest sympathy to Rick and family,
Cyd Horsley Mechem

My wife Deb and I were stunned to hear about Stewart's passing. Since our family moved to 35th & Virginia St at 6 months, I've had the privilege to know, play with, and keep in touch with one of the nicest guys I've ever known (my younger brother Kal might argue that as he was just mouthy enough that Stew and I had a hard time not knocking him around now and then). Thru Bryant, Hoover and Central we always stayed buddies. And right up til the last time we talked, he was always interested in how our store (and afterwards retirement) was doing and how we were promoting it. It was like a "brotherly" downtown Sioux City retailer's bond he always hung on to and couldn't wait to discuss. RIP ol buddy, I'm really going to miss you.

I met Stewart through a mutual friend, Mike Harris. It's so tragic to lose a genuinely good guy. I remember him smiling. Always smiling. Godspeed and my sympathy to all who mourn him. 

Oh, what terrible news.  Stewart had such a big appetite - for life and for food.  No more stories about Hawkeye establishments Hamburg Inn and Amana Colonies or Sioux City haunts Milwaukee Weiner and the Green Gables (no more imitations of Nate).  The time your ordered two steak dinners with Texas toasts and baked potatoes in Iowa City (Why did they call you Professor).  You had your serious side when you stood up to people for bullying and when necessary, chewed out your friends when they had it coming.  Good times as a waiter at Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority and bartending class at the community college.  I will especially miss the stories about the General Store.  Great memories.

I am deeply saddened, but my sorrow is balanced by the joy of having known Stewart and being able to share many wonderful conversations.  We often talked about retirement and what we were going to do "after work".  Stewart's passing is the event that will stop me talking about it, and start me doing it... Thanks Stewart.
Condolences to the family and friends.

What an awful shock.  He was a great guy, and I'll miss him.  My condolences to his brother and all his other family members and friends.

Stewart was a unique guy. I knew that from the moment we met during an Indycar race at Phoenix International Raceway. He was working with Western Racing News and I was the AP's Auto Racing Writer. We hit it off immediately.  We shared our Jewish heritage and our love of sports = particularly auto racing - and family.  I think that first meeting was in 1980 and we have been friends since. Stewart loved my wife, Judy, and the feeling was mutual. They had some great adventures - like the Day of the Dead at the Phoenix art museum - while I was at the racetrack. And we had some wonderful meals together over the years, with amazing conversations on just about ever subject.  We had lunch with Stewart at a deli in Oct., during a visit to the Phoenix area, and he looked youthful and healthy and happy. His passing is truly a shock and Judy and I will miss him and his joyful ways. Our sincere condolences to his brother and the rest of the family.

Since hearing of Stewart's passing, my eyes have been filled with tears and my heart is broken. For 66 years we were friends and partners in craziness, frivolity and shedding tears. His parents and my parents were best friends. Rick, Stewart and I spent holidays together, we watched our beloved Hawkeyes and commiserated their foibles. Imagine, for 66 years we were friends. I have a picture of Stewart at my third birthday party stealing my piece of cake. And on his face was that mischievous smile.When Stewart's beloved mother Libby died, we were there for one another. When Mike Rice passed away we were together. When my parents died, Stewart was the first to call me. My memories are many and they bring tears to my eyes as I think of them. For those of you who knew him, he was not a student of academia, yet he was bright and quick witted but college bored him.  But he was a loyal man. He was devoted to his parents, helping them liquidate their family business. When his parents moved to Sun City he was a loving and devoted son who stood close by their side. He was a caregiver to his mother and after Libby passed away, he was the most devoted man I have ever met in the manner in which he took care of his Beloved father Meyer. I always believed Stewart would live well into his nineties but G-d had other plans. Stewart, my lifelong friend, my life will not be the same. You have taken a piece of my heart with you. 66 years of memories will never be wiped away but I hurt that in the future I must now look back and remember instead of calling you and discussing our lives. I miss you already and will till we meet again. I just want you to know that in your own unique, charismatic way you affected a diverse group of friends who will come together this Friday and say our good-byes.  And through our tears we will smile and think of the special moments we spent with you. Shalom my dear friend!

I was among the fortunate few who was close to Stew during our formative years, our college years and our later years.  3532 Virginia was a  second home for me  until I left Sioux City at Age  7.  We then reconnected at the U of Iowa both as frat brothers and Journalism students.  While I saw  Stew periodically over the intervening years, it was when  my wife Terry and I became empty nesters eight years ago that we again reconnected.  Since that time we have been in very frequent contact  and seen each other a couple of times a year.

Stew was as good a friend as you could ask for, always thinking of others first.  This was clear to all of us that were privileged to know him.  Not only did he always over deliver when he offered to bring food to a party but he rolled up his sleeves and insisted on helping his beloved restaurant clients with their food deliveries on their busiest days.  Stew is among a select few that can never be replaced.  Little did I know when he dropped me off at Sky Harbor Airport last Wednesday that it would be our last hurrah.  You will be missed more than I can stay, Stew.  Thanks for all of the great memories.

If I didn’t meet Stewart in preschool ((can’t remember that far back), it was in kindergarten at Bryant. We continued through the University of Iowa. He was a good friend and good man, a mensch. 

Stewart was a one of a kind person. He always put a smile on my face and had nothing but encouraging, positive words for me and everyone around. And of course his sense of humor could always make you laugh no matter your mood. He always called himself my biggest fan, he truly was. I will miss him very much. 

Hard to believe this news.  Stewart was such an enjoyable character!  From the University of Iowa to his life in AZ, he valued friends and making connections in an honest and genuine way.  On the rare occasions I saw him or talked to him in the past few years, I always looked forward to an update about college friends since he generally had a pulse on everyone. 

I will never forget his infectious smile, that head of curly hair, or his spirit! 

Stewart, you would be the first one to be excited about reading all the messages from the people you have touched in your life.  May you rest in peace and thank you for bringing a smile to our face with your memory..

Sherri Rosenbaum Rutman

So very sorry to hear about Stewart.  He and I grew up together in the same neighborhood in Sioux City.  He was sort of the neighborhood ‘captain’ of the pre-teen set.

Later I used to see him quite frequently in Iowa City when we both going to the U of Iowa.  He was a whirlwind of energy and always had some funny stories to tell.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

I knew Stewart since I was a little girl growing up in Sioux City.  He and my brother had been extremely close all of these years.  He would frequently visit Mpls. and tell me the most fascinating stories about Sioux City.  Stewart knew  everyone and never forgot his friends with his loyalty.  I was devastated to hear he had died and will miss him. 
Cheri Rosenthal 

I knew Stewart when we were at Iowa and I was JoAnn Rosenbaum.  I live in Minneapolis now and saw Stewart a couple of times over the last ten years.   Fun to talk with, so energetic and a good soul, just like I remember when we were in college.  Several of us that knew Stewart back then have been in touch since hearing he passed away.    Although he hasn't been in our everyday lives for years, all of us have such fond memories and were so sorry to hear this sad news.   He was one of the good guys......then and now.  

Funeral will be held this Friday, March 22, 11:30am at Sunland Memorial Park in the chapel followed by a lunch. 
Sunland Memorial Park
15826 Del Webb Blvd
Sun City, AZ 85351. 

Thank you for your kind words. Stewart was a wonderful person who was loved by his family and many friends. He will be greatly missed!  May his memory be a blessing. 

I am truly saddened to hear about Stewart's passing.   Stewart was a gentle soul with immense kindness for all,  tempered by an almost clairvoyant outlook on the world and life along with a huge sense of humor.  You simply could not help but be engaged, smile, and laugh in every discussion with Stewart.  He will be missed.  

Stew was an awesome friend. Knew him since grade school at Bryant Elementary. Stayed friends with him all through Hoover Junior and Central High. We just laughed and laughed. Compared our advertising careers that we each had. Just wonderful to keep this 60 years of friendship with Stewart. I remember hanging at his boyhood home and having his mom feed us. Libby. 

Rest in Peace, Stew. You touched us all.   

Stewart was one of a kind.  His passing leaves a giant hole in my heart.  We are fraternity brothers and our love for each other lasted 49 years.
He left us way to early and he will be missed by Lucy and me.  We won’t be able to attend his service as I am a CPA with way too much work and not enough time.  My dear friend, Rest In Peace.  You were loved by all who knew you.

I was one of those who grew up with Stewart in Sioux City, Iowa, on a very special block, where all the kids would play together after dinner. We always knew what Stewart had for dinner because he wore it on his white t shirt! 

My dad loved discussing sports with him when they lived in Scottsdale, and Stewart would come over to their apartment to visit when I was there.  I hadn't had contact with him for years, since my parents moved from Scottsdale., although through a mutual friend, from time to time, I heard about him.

I was shocked to hear he had left this world, and feel so very sad. He was indeed an outsized personality, very gregarious, outgoing, and in my opinion, a force of nature.

 My deepest condolences to his Scottsdale friends and to Rick.

Rest in peace, friend.

I was so sorry to hear about Stewart's passing.  I have known him since I started working for Brown and Bigelow almost 10 years ago.  He always was so kind and I truly enjoyed spending time with him.  We shared our cultural background and memories of Chicago every time we met. Rest in Peace my friend.  You will be greatly missed!

I am so saddened to hear that Stewart has left our world.  I  saw him last week, this news is unbearable.  His sense of humor, his generosity, his kindness and his caring will be greatly missed.  Rest In Peace my friend. 🙏❤️

Stewart and I worked at Brown and Bigelow together for about 10 years now.  He always had a joke to share, and we discussed all kinds of world events, domestic issues, he and I loved to discuss solving all the problems in the word.  His sense of humor and kind gentle manner will be greatly missed.
I truly will miss seeing him around town, when I would go to eat at Manuel's and he would walk in the door.... when he would give me discount coupons to go to Bobby Q's... encouraged me to purchase  bagel boxes at Chompies...   what a kind spirit. Always willing to help. A true sales professional.
His stories about his family's army surplus store will be remembered and I will miss hearing his stories about his parents and adventures to California to visit good friends. Rest in Peace, my friend.  A life well lived.

OBITUARY

Stewart Michael Rice

19 February, 1952 – 16 March, 2019

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services