Keith David Rice, 76, retired systems administrator, civic leader

Keith David Rice, 76, formerly of Upper Darby, a retired data-processing administrator for Independence Blue Cross and a civic leader, died of complications from liver disease Thursday, May 13, at home in Cape May Point, N.J.

In 1954, Mr. Rice joined what is now Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia as an accounting clerk in the billing department. Several years later, he was among the employees tapped for training on the room-size IBM 650 computer system Blue Cross installed to help with record keeping.

Mr. Rice's daughter, Lynne, said that when she was growing up, "I would tell people my dad was a computer programmer, and they had no idea what that was." By the 1970s, he was the health insurer's director of data processing. He retired in 1990 as systems assurance administrator.

Mr. Rice raised a family in Upper Darby and was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus De La Salle Council in Media. After retiring, he helped establish a center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood to aid seniors with Medicare claims and volunteered at St. Francis Inn, a ministry for the homeless in Kensington.

Since 1995, Mr. Rice and his wife, Marie Lauria Rice, had lived full time at their former summer home in Cape May Point. He served two terms as president of the Cape May Point Taxpayers Association. From 2000 to 2004, he was commissioner of public safety for Cape May Point, and in 2004 he was president of the Cape May County Chapter of the League of Municipalities.

An avid golfer, he was a member of Cape May National Golf Club and was very proud of the hole-in-one he shot at Avalon Golf & Country Club, his daughter said.

He enjoyed Sunday afternoons watching the Eagles with family and spending time at the beach with his grandchildren.

Mr. Rice was a graduate of Clifton Heights High School and often returned for reunions. He attended Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University, and briefly worked for General Electric before joining Blue Cross.

In addition to his wife of 29 years and daughter, he is survived by daughters Margie, Janet, Susan, Jeanne, Reenie, Christine, and Lolly; a son, Andrew; stepsons Michael, Joseph, and David Holahan; 27 grandchildren; and his former wife, Margaret Long. His son Keith David Jr. died in 1992.

A Memorial Mass will be said at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St., Cape May. Friends may call from noon.