Dr. Leland L. Rice is a 1943 graduate of the University of Missouri with a B.S. degree in Agriculture and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1951.  He practiced veterinary medicine in Shelbina from 1951-1967.  In 1967, he began work in seven counties of Northeast Missouri as veterinary medical officer for the United States Department of Agriculture. 

He has been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a 27-year member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.  His activities within the association are many.  Dr. Rice has served as Secretary and President of the Northeast District of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.  He served on the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Executive Board from 1956 to 1961 and became Vice President of the State Association in 1961.  Dr. Rice has also served on numerous important committees within the association spanning many years.  Dr. Rice was selected by the Governor of Missouri to serve on the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board and served from 1964-1976 being appointed Chairman of the Board in 1970 and serving in that capacity through 1976. 

Dr. Rice was a decorated military officer during World War II serving in General Patton’s 3rd Army as an artillery forward observer.  He received the Silver and Bronze Stars and the Croix DeGuerre in France.

With a very involved career in veterinary medicine, Dr. Rice still found time for school and community activities.  He served as a member of the Shelbina School Board from 1960-1965 and as its Chairman in 1961.  1961-1970 found him active in the Boy Scouts of America program serving as Cub master, Scout Master and Post Advisor.  He is a Mason and has served as a Sunday school teacher, board member and trustee of the Methodist Church.

Dr. Rice and his wife, Patty, reside in Shelbina MO and have two sons, Jack, 27 and Michael, 25.