4 • The Flagship • Winter 1998
The Flagship • Winter 1998 • 5
… THE WAY WE WERE …
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL
WE DEDICATE THIS ISSUE OF THE FLAGSHIP QUARTERLY NEWS TO PHILIP E. RICE, FORMER NAUGATUCK PLANT FACTORY MANAGER ON HIS 100TH YEAR!
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL
On October 16, 1997, Mr. Philip E. Rice, former Factory Manager of the Naugatuck Plant celebrated his 100th birthday at a party with 90 family members and friends at Pomperaug Woods, Southbury, CT. We dedicate this issue of “The Flagship” to Mr. “Naugatuck Chemical” on this memorable occasion and share this profile of Mr. Rice with you as a tribute. We thank him for his contributions to our Plant and to our community.
Philip E. Rice was born in Matawan, New Jersey, October 16, 1897, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Rice. He moved at an early age to Brooklyn, NY, attended local schools and found his first chemical-related job in the laboratory of an enamelware factory on Long Island. This work was interrupted by his entrance into the U.S. Navy in 1917 where he served two years during World War I, transporting troops between the U.S.
and France. After the war, he entered Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh and then transferred to New York University to complete his degree in Chemical Engineering. He joined the Company’s General Laboratories in 1923 as a Research Chemist.
Two years later, he came to Naugatuck to help develop the growing line of Naugatuck Chemical’s rubber chemicals business. He worked consecutively in R&D, Chemical Engineering, Production Supervision, and was serving as Superintendent of our Plant when he was appointed Factory Manager in June 1941. In August of 1945, he was transferred to Los Angeles as Factory Manager of the government’s synthetic rubber plant operated there by Naugatuck Chemical. This facility closed in 1947, and he moved to the synthetic rubber plant at Institute, WV as Factory Manager. In 1948, during one of Naugatuck’s worst snow storms, he returned to Naugatuck to again head up the Factory. He and his wife, Evelyn, took up residence on North Church Street and raised their family of two children. In June 1954, following the purchase of the synthetic rubber plant from the government, he became Factory Manager of the combined Chemical, Reclaim, and Synthetic Rubber Plants of Naugatuck. Many new products were introduced into the factory during Mr. Rice’s reign – too many to men-
tion, but a few major milestones to look back on were: Naugatuck’s very important role in the development and manufacture of synthetic rubber during World War II; The Plant’s 50th anniversary in 1954 – the facility in its prime as a major producer of plastics, agricultural chemicals, latex compounds and synthetic rubber, boasting a payroll of 1,800 employees; The Great Flood of August 1955 which wiped out more than 60% of the Factory – and the incredible job of putting it back together!
Mr. Rice is not only remembered for being one of Naugatuck’s industrialists, but he was also a very active participant in civic affairs. He began his community activities during the years of WWII when he was active in the local Civil Defense Organization. In the years to come, he served as both Director and President of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce and the Naugatuck Rotary Club, and as a Director for: The Connecticut State Chamber of Commerce, the Naugatuck Chapter of the Red Cross, the Naugatuck Building and Loan Association, the Naugatuck Valley Industrial Council and the Waterbury Hospital Corporation.
Mr. Rice retired in 1959 and has enjoyed reading, gardening, travel, fishing, and music.
To commemorate the wonderful occasion of his 100th birthday, the Plant surprised Mr. Rice with a pack-
age of memorabilia at his birthday party with a letter of congratulations offering him the invitation to visit the Plant. He immediately responded to our offer and on November 4, 1997, after nearly 38 years, Mr. Rice returned to the Naugatuck Plant with invited retired guests: Dr. Wesley Coe, former R&D Director, Alice Egan, his former secretary; Molly Cobbol from Industrial Relations; and Bob Hall, former Factory Manager. A presentation and tour of the Plant were given by Jack Prior where Mr. Rice recognized the names of some of the products still produced at our Plant today.
Mr. Rice, who has the gift of youth (mentally and physically) was very pleased to have the opportunity to see the Plant operations again and commented on the great job we are all doing. The afternoon was a great time for reminiscing and a very rewarding one as well.
[PHOTO CAPTION – LEFT]
Jack Prior, (far left) current Naugatuck Plant Manager, shares a most rewarding afternoon with quite a remarkable man, Philip Rice, (middle left) former Naugatuck Plant Manager from 1941-59. Also enjoying the visit to our Plant are Wesley Coe, (middle right) former R&D Director, and the familiar face of Bob Hall, (right) former Naugatuck Plant Manager!
[GRAPHIC: “100 Years!” with decorative red lobster illustration]
[PHOTO CAPTION – RIGHT]
Philip E. Rice and his staff in 1959. Back row from left: Ed Muller, Claude Allard, Herb Scullin, Larry Koth, Connor Cronan, Lou Doherty, Gordan Anderson, Ray Frick, George Emory. Seated from left: Bill Bradford, Mr. Rice, Alice Egan, Nelson Judy.
