Ronald “Rusty” Rice

Photograph of Ronald “Rusty” Rice, obtained from Nyvall News & Notes.

Ronald “Rusty” Rice was a devout Christian, second-year student, and lover of the arts. On Sunday, April 5, 2020, Rusty passed away. Rusty attended the North Park Theological Seminary through the School of Restorative Arts (SRA) at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. His presence was infectious and felt between faculty, staff, and students. “His wit, class contributions, and cheerful spirit among much more will be missed,” says SRA student Lydia Vander Stelt. Rusty impacted lives daily and used storytelling as an opportunity for connecting with others. He focused on redemptive storytelling and was heavily involved at the SRA.

Along with being a member of [re]story, an SRA cohort, he successfully completed his Foundations Certificate and a Certificate in Restorative Arts. In a tribute to Rusty posted by the school, Carri Stevens, a student in his cohort, writes, “In some ways, our stories were inversions of each other, and we both found a great deal of healing from being together as friends, classmates, and imperfect, beautiful creations of God.” Healing is an instrumental component of the SRA, and Rusty found strength in God for this transformative experience.

He believed that, as a result of God’s grace and mercy, there was still a purpose for his life. Before Rusty passed away, he wrote a story about redemption and forgiveness. His moving words shed light on his steadfast relationship with God. As a result of God’s love, Rusty was empowered to repent, forgive, and see himself as valuable despite his circumstances.

Portrait of Rusty Rice by MOL volunteer, RLP

This memorial was written by MOL team member Gabrielle Smith with information from a memorial by Bekah Lindberg of North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) Nyrall News.