Harold “Harry” Whittemore Rix, 71, of Providence, Rhode Island, passed away on March 1, 2024. Born in Detroit, Michigan on May 3, 1952, to Harold Kendall Rix (10/10/1925 – 10/10/1997) and Ruth (Wells) Rix (3/18/1927 – 12/23/2004), Harry was named after his grandfather Harold Whittemore Rix of Michigan (9/15/1892 – 7/20/1936).
Harry is survived by his son, Jeremy M. Rix (wife, Monica K. Broughton-Rix); his siblings, Dena Radley, James F. Rix (wife, Karen Rix), Mary Ellen Rix Lott (husband, Stephen Lott), and Robert G. Rix (wife, Dolores P. Rix); and many nieces and nephews.
Harry excelled in higher education, earned Bachelor of Business Administration Management magna cum laude from Western Michigan University in 1977 and a Master of Divinity cum laude from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1984. He then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching summa cum laude from Johnson & Wales University in 2002 while working full-time.
With a passion for helping others, Reverend Harry Rix served as a Chaplain, Pastor, or Interim Pastor for over seven years and as a counselor to adults struggling with mental illness or addiction for eight years. Harry also worked as a Claims Processor at Progressive Insurance in Warwick, RI for eight years. As a pastor, Rev. Rix was not overly concerned with the divides between Protestant denominations. First ordained as a Baptist, and later as a Methodist, Harry was a member of the Beneficent Congregational Church at the time of his passing. He considered himself more spiritual than tied to a particular denomination of Christianity, and, enjoyed studying different religions, believing that no single denomination or religion has a monopoly on understanding God.
Rev. Rix possessed a passion for Liberation Theology and strong conviction that a church must create positive change for the community and contribute to make a difference in the world, lest it become a mere social club.
In 2003, Rev. Rix began writing a column, Quoflections™, which was routinely published in four Rhode Island newspapers including the Warwick Beacon for six years, along with appearances in other publications. Harry coined the word “quoflection” as a portmanteau of “quotation” and “reflection.” His column focused on spirituality, ethics, and current issues, with over three hundred articles published. Many of his articles may be found at quoflections.org.
At age 71, Harry had a full life. He looked forward to seeing people at his part-time job as a counselor at Fuller Hospital, at his church, and at his bowling league. He also enjoyed playing the piano and regularly attended concerts and music festivals with friends. Even the day before his sudden passing, he was enjoying ziplining in North Carolina with family, which Harry said was on his “bucket list.”
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life reception will be held on April 27, 2024, at Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset St., Providence, RI. The Memorial Service will begin at 10:00 a.m., with a Celebration of Life reception to follow from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Harry desired for donations to be made to benefit those in the developing world suffering from severe hunger and disasters, e.g., Food For The Poor, (800) 487-1158 or online at FoodForThePoor.org; United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), (888) 252-6174 or online at umcmission.org/UMCOR. Donations may also be made to the Beneficent Congregational Church of Providence, RI, where Harry was a member.
