Dr. Luther Kennedy Brice Jr.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Luther Kennedy Brice Jr., a man of boundless compassion, energy, intellect, and wit. Luther was born on January 29, 1928, in Spartanburg, South Carolina and transitioned from this life on April 2, 2026, shortly after moving back to Spartanburg. Over his 98 years, he influenced many lives.

Luther earned three degrees in Chemistry a BA from Harvard University (1945), MA from Dartmouth College (1951), and a PhD from Duke University (1955).

According to his precise records, Luther taught chemistry to 23,593 students at Virginia Tech from 1954 to 1986. He achieved renown as “Take it Twice Brice” when an unknown student wrote on the classroom blackboard after a final exam, “It’s nice to take it twice or even thrice from Brice.”

Luther was also known as “Merlin the Magician” for the chemical magic shows he performed while wearing a red-lined black cape and sorcerer’s hat made by students. Highlights of the show included timing iodine clock reactions to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and creating an electric spark when a volunteer from the audience was given a peck on the cheek. Luther received numerous awards at Virginia Tech and prized the University Wine Award for Excellence in Teaching (1961) and the Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching (1966). In his spare time, he enjoyed and taught many to sail during relaxing weekends at Claytor Lake.

After retiring from Virginia Tech, Luther moved to Washington, D.C., where he continued to savor life as an influencer. He taught chemistry as an adjunct professor at American University from 1986 to 1994. He inculcated others into his love of music especially his top 40 of all grand opera. And he built a fun and supportive community by opening his home to all friends and friends of friends on Friday evenings for his Young Peoples Temperance Union (YPTU) meetings. During these “meetings” he was a conductor of conversation and as a chemist offered complex cocktails with or without ethanol molecules.

As Luther came into his own, he was a role model, mentor, champion of education, and provided safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and allies to gather and celebrate life.

Luther is survived by two loving nieces, Carolyn Briggs, Margaret Hines (Rob Hines); three great-nephews, Robert Hines (Stephanie), Thomas Hines, and Brian Briggs; one great-niece, Emily Januchowski (Anthony Januchowski); two great-great-nieces, Anna Januchowski and Ella Januchowski; and his sister-in-law, Peggy Brice.

Luther is preceded in death by his father, Luther Kennedy Brice (1892-1955); his mother, Frances Boggs Brice (1901-1973); and brother, Ralph Erwin Brice, (1931-2023).

A memorial service celebrating Luther’s exceptional life will be held Saturday, May 23, at 2 p.m. at the Friends Meeting House, 2111 Florida Ave NW., Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Luther Brice Memorial Fund at Virginia Tech, which will support student success. Contributions may be mailed to the Virginia Tech Foundation, Office of Gift Accounting, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061.