Richard Rice was born and lived his entire life in Beckley. A Woodrow Wilson High School graduate he held a B.S. in education and possessed an entrepreneurial spirit which lead him to become an owner in the Gallagher Coal Research Center, Inc. This business, which performed analyses for both metallurgical and stream coal markets, was a successful endeavor. In 2015, “Rick” established a donor advised fund at Beckley Area Foundation which permitted him to recommend non-profit charitable organizations or program to receive annual distributions from the fund income. Following his death in 2020, the endowment became a designated fund supporting the Humane Society of Raleigh County, Inc.
