Dr. Harvey S. 'Pete' Rice

Dr. Harvey S. "Pete" Rice, archaeologist, passed away while hiking in the outdoors he loved near Beverly, Wash., on May 30, 2008. He was 73.

Pete was a loving husband, father, mentor, and friend to many and he played a pivotal role in establishing archaeological and cultural resources management as a significant discipline in the Pacific Northwest.

Pete was born in 1934 in Walla Walla to Elbert and Myrn (Harvey) Rice. He spent his younger years in Aberdeen, Wash., and later Finley, Wash., graduating from Pasco High School in 1952. He will be greatly missed by his survivors, which include his wife of 50 years Barbara Jeanne (Newell), a son Newel, daughter-in-law Tina and grandson Colton of Monroe; a daughter Kyla and son-in-law Don of Spokane; a brother Jon and sister-in-law Ann of Moses Lake; several nephews, and his special kitty friend Majik. Pete passed on his love of adventure, the outdoors, photography and his quick sense of humor to his family.

Pete's recreational and leisure interests were tied to his love of the outdoors and the central Washington landscape. He was an avid hiker and he enjoyed kayaking and exploring the central Columbia Plateau. His keen interest in indigenous plants led him to hold classes on plant identification for the Forest Service Survival School.

After graduating from high school, Pete enrolled at Grays Harbor Community College and later enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Eretria in North Africa and worked in Army Intelligence for the Korean War effort.

Pete returned from his military service and enrolled at Washington State University in 1958. At the time, the WSU anthropology department was among the leading multidisciplinary paleoenvironmental research institutions in the nation, and Pete often spoke fondly of his early years there. Dr. Richard "Dick" Daugherty was his mentor and a guiding influence on Pete's development both personally and professionally.

In order to broaden his research experience, in 1959, he attended field-based training in Alaska and at the University of Oregon. On returning to complete his Master's Thesis Pete conducted research that would help change our understanding of the antiquity of humans in the Pacific Northwest. Completed in 1965, his thesis provides details of the earliest artifacts from the deepest levels at the Windust Caves, including the Windust-type stemmed biface.

While at WSU, Pete took part in many important field research projects, including the excavation and analysis of Washington sites such as at Marmes Rockshelter (1962-69) and at Ozette (1966-67 and 1970-81), where for several years he served as assistant director. Additionally, he was present on a research expedition to Valsequillo in Mexico. In 1962, as Egypt's Aswan Dam project was getting under way, he helped survey the reservoir area along the west bank of the Nile River in northern Sudan. His discoveries there included lithic hand axes 500,000 years old.

In 1967, Pete took the staff position of highway archaeologist. One of his first projects was located in the Moses Coulee, near Wenatchee. During the course of work he invited first-term Spokane Congressman Thomas Foley out to see the site and its findings. Congressman Foley later became speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and never forgot about archaeology because of Pete.

In the late 1970s Pete played an active role in the formation and field activities of the Washington Archaeological Research Center (WARC), established at WSU as an independent agency to maintain a site record system for archaeological sites in Eastern Washington.

When WARC's charter changed in fall of 1980 Pete moved to Eastern Washington University where he established Archaeological and Historic Services (AHS). AHS/EWU became one of the most long-lived and successful archaeological programs in the Pacific Northwest, accomplishing major field projects and studies for Bonneville Power Association, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Middle Columbia Public Utility Districts throughout the 1980s and 90s.

In 1984 Pete completed his PhD dissertation in the Department of Anthropology at WSU. Titled, "Native American Dwellings and Attendant Structures of the Southern Plateau," it is a historical collection of archival photos of Plateau Indian housing which stands as the only comprehensive work on the subject. Always willing to provide practical help, his expertise on native structures contributed to the development of a full-sized reproduction of a Wanapum longhouse that was open to the public several times between 2000-2004.

In 1992 Pete retired from AHS and in the summer of 1995 he moved on to work as the Colville Tribal Archaeologist under Adeline Fredin at the Colville offices in Nespelem. In 2000 he was hired as cultural resources coordinator at Grant County PUD, where he led the Cultural Resources department as they began the process of obtaining a new license for the Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams. At Grant PUD he played a critical role in leading the largest and most intensive cultural resources inventory effort at a hydroelectric project in Washington state. During his years at the PUD he developed strong friendships with the Wanapum people and he enjoyed his dual role as researcher and advocate for Wanapum cultural resources issues and concerns. Through this work with the Colville and Wanapum people Pete was successful in helping to craft a model for Tribal participation in the regional scope of cultural resources programs across the Columbia River system. Pete was employed as senior archaeologist at Grant PUD until his untimely death.

A prolific writer, Pete authored and co-authored many professional archaeological and cultural resource research reports in Washington state. He directly influenced the course of cultural resources management as one of the first "contract" archaeologists in the state - most practicing archaeologists in the Pacific Northwest have worked for and/or with Pete at one time or another over the past 40 years.

One of Pete's favorite pastimes was also a central part of his professional expertise - his photographic skill. Pete provided state-of-the-art assistance to archaeological staff in preparing report covers and in artifact photography. Where most people record two-dimensional photos of objects and things, Pete was able to capture depth, warmth and context. Whether it was a single artifact or a landscape, Pete could convey the essence of the total scene in his photos. His photographic contributions to Washington archaeology are especially notable in the published works of Ruth Kirk and Dr. Richard Daugherty. He was a noted HABS/HAER large-format photographer and used his skill to contribute to the historic record. He also worked in the area of portrait and wedding photography by running a successful studio as Pete Rice - The Photographer in his hometown of Colfax, Wash.

Pete's adventurous nature is demonstrated by the period of time he spent in the 1980s as a law enforcement officer. He began as a reserve officer for the Whitman County Sheriff department and went on to work in the jail control room. He eventually earned a position on the Whitman County/Pullman Police Department Swat Team as a counter-sniper and was a relief officer for Colfax Police Department as well as a volunteer firefighter.

As an archaeologist, Pete's interest in prehistory was balanced by his awareness and concern for modern Native American people. His work with the Colville, Wanapum and other Columbia Plateau Tribes was based on his fundamental respect for Native American issues. Pete believed above all in the critical importance of incorporating Native American concerns into the process and outcome of archaeological research and cultural resources management. Pete recognized that archaeological relics of the past still play an important role in the lives of Indian people. This direct link to people played a primary role in Pete's work and his lifestyle and he considered this connection as more significant than just simple academic studies of "prehistory." His many deep friendships with Indian people across the Plateau are testament to this commitment.

In keeping with Pete's love of the outdoors, his family suggests that memorials should be made to Conservation Northwest.

A graveside service for Pete will be held Saturday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the Colfax Cemetery. Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax, WA is caring for the family, online condolences may be left at bruningfuneralhome.com.