Robert Edward Rice, 78, died March 19, 2012, in Vero Beach.
He was born in New Orleans, La., and moved to Vero Beach 15 years ago.
Before retirement, he was the district manager of the New England Life Group Buffalo office.
He began his career in Philadelphia with Connecticut General in the employee benefit field and moved to Springfield, Mass., and then Buffalo as the district manager of those group offices.
He was a former member of the Saturn Club in Buffalo and the Buffalo Yacht Club.
He was a graduate of Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Suzanne Donaldson Rice; son, Robert E. Rice Jr., of Hillsborough, Calif.; daughter, Elizabeth Rice Conron; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Vero Beach, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Private family services are planned for a later date.
Arrangements are by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach.
A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com.