Robert Vernon Rice (August 13, 1924 – February 17, 2020) was an American biochemist from Carnegie Mellon University and the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts primarily known for work in the area of biochemistry and physiology of muscle proteins and neuromuscular interactions.

[5][nb 1] Rice married Betty Jane Marts on 13 July 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona,[4] and they divorced in 1977.

[8] He was also a scientist-in-residence at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts during the summer months.

[9] His research focused on the biochemistry and cellular physiology of muscle contraction and nerve transmission.

[10] In retirement beginning in 1987, Rice was active in the Falmouth Genealogical Society, serving as vice president for programs from 2003 to 2006, and was a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston, publishing several papers in its journal, New England Ancestors.