Wayne Rice
F-4 Pilot, Member
Wednesday Mar 1st, 2023
No Host Bar: 5:30 p.m., Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.

This month's dinner speaker, Wayne Rice, is sure to be a fascinating presentation about his experience flying as a Marine Corp fighter pilot. He is another member of our museum who you see multiple days every week at the museum not aware of the distinguished service he has provided to our nation. I'm confident you will be glad you came to the dinner.

Wayne was born in Chicago during WW II while his father was flying B-17s out of England. After the war, his father returned to civilian life as did most vets. However, Wayne’s dad returned to the Air Force before the Korean conflict and remained in the Air Force until retiring in 1963. Growing up in an aviation environment set the stage for Wayne to make flying his avocation.

Signing up for the Marine Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) program in college led to a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon college graduation in 1966. Orders to Pensacola Florida for Naval Flight Training ensued. Once designated as a Naval Aviator he was sent to MCAS El Toro for training as an F4 pilot. After qualification, orders to Vietnam with his squadron was the next agenda item.
He remained in the Marines, serving as an instructor in the F4, as well as acting planning officer on two different general staffs. He retired from the Marines in 1986 and spent the ensuing 18 years as an airline pilot.

He married Marcia in 1967 soon after she graduated from UCSB where they had met. They have one daughter, a son-in-Law and one granddaughter who reside in Colorado. The Rices moved from Orange County to the Paso Robles area in 2004 shortly after Marcia’s retirement from the UCI Biology Department. 

Wayne is an active member of our museum, prior board member and President and continues to serve in various capacities. His committment and dedication is appreciated by all who know him.

Dinner is catered and open to the public ($25/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935.