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Farewell to Friends Submit your Farewell to Friends to lifeinsolera@yahoo.com. Please keep remembrances to 400 words and include one recent, high-resolution photo. | LIFE IN SOLERA | JANUARY 2025 | 45 Remembering Dennis Rice By Richard Crowe Solera resident, Dennis Rice, 79, passed away four months ago due to complications from a stroke. He was my friend and golfing partner — his sudden passing was a real shock. But what was particularly compelling about Dennis is the extensive giving and volunteering to the Solera Community, particularly in its formative years. In his younger life Dennis worked for the computer systems giant, TRW, and for a time taught computer technology at Long Beach State University. He brought to bear technical knowledge, intellect, and leadership when Solera began to develop many of its emerging management systems (including programming and licensing), systems that we take for granted and are now provided for by several contract management companies. His contribution is mind-boggling: 1. Gate pass and tracking system for visitor-vendor entry into the community. 2. RV pass system. 3. Violation tracking system for CC&Rs and HOA rules compliance. 4. Solera's website, including the Resident Directory, Message to Management, Neighbor to Neighbor, and Vendor Referral. 5. Early HOA election management and oversight system for receiving and counting ballots. 6. The 2006 Greenbelt Task Force which contributed to the successful annexation to the HOA of the 36 acres of greenbelt previously owned by the City of Beaumont. 7. Committees that improved and enhanced life in Solera: Club House redesign, Residents-HOA communications, Radio Club, and Emergency Preparedness. 8. As a veteran of the US Marine Corps, he served on the Flag Brigade, which mounted flag holders on street lamp posts and displays the American Flag on national holidays. 9. Member and President of the Solera Board of Directors for 2012- 2014. I am proud to say I served with Dennis on this Board. 10. Occasional speaker to the Solera History Group on early California history. 11. Content development and contracting for the Gazette (before Life in Solera). In recent years Dennis wrote and published a murder-mystery, e Tu House, Rise and Fall of a Political Party, that is centered in his home state of Iowa. Dennis is survived by his wife, Karen, daughter, Amber Ramsey, and grandson, Drysten Ramsey. Solera Board of Directors, 2014. (L-R) Back Row: Dennis Rice, Richard Crowe, Gary Stoh. Front Row: Judi McWilliams, Pat King (Lane Joel Photo)