My father, Chris Rice, who has died aged 80 of amyloidosis, was an inspiring lecturer in human resource management at Nottingham Trent University for almost 30 years.
Born in Bristol, Chris was the only child of Norman Rice, a clerk, and his wife, Doris (nee Maunder), who later worked in the box office at Bristol Hippodrome. After passing the 11-plus, Chris went to Bristol grammar school, then Southampton University, where he studied engineering and enjoyed playing rugby and jazz. There, he met Maureen Bishop, who later became a social worker, and they married in 1963.
After finishing his course, Chris changed direction to train in human resources at Glasgow School of Management Studies (1962-63). He then worked as a personnel manager at Salters, West Bromwich, and at the Oxford University Press paper mill. Deciding to apply for a lecturing post at Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University) in 1970, without formal teaching qualifications, was a brave move, but it paid off.
In teaching, Chris found his vocation. He was a committed, approachable and engaging lecturer, whose smile lit up the room. He enjoyed taking the floor and making students laugh with his genuinely funny stories. He often taught mature, part-time students on release from their day jobs looking to gain the professional qualifications needed to move ahead with their careers.
As a teenager, I distinctly remember ex-students recognising Chris when we were out as a family in Nottingham. They would rush up with joy and excitement, shake his hand and embrace him. It was clear what a difference he made to people’s lives. He gained an MPhil from the University of Nottingham in 1980 and wrote a valuable textbook, Consumer Behaviour – Behavioural Aspects of Marketing (1993, republished in 1997 as Understanding Customers) – but students were always at the heart of his work.
A great enthusiast, Chris had many passions – he loved music, especially jazz and classical, and was an amazing cook who spent hours in the kitchen. He walked the Pennine Way with my sister, Emma, and I as teenagers, ran the London marathon and enjoyed watching sport. He had fun travelling with Maureen and loved Italy best of all. He was warm, funny and sociable.
In 1999, Chris retired from his senior lecturer post and after a few years my parents moved to Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Living near to us gave them more time with their beloved granddaughters. Chris followed my sister, Emma’s career from actor to theatre director with great pride.
Chris is survived by Maureen, Emma and me, and by three granddaughters.
