Robert E. "Bob" Vance

Robert E. “Bob” Vance, 79, of Abilene passed away August 27, 2007 at his home. Mr. Vance was born June 23rd 1928 in Kemmerer, Wyoming to Robert John Vance and Mary Thomas Vance York. He and his parents moved to Portland, Oregon when he was five and that became home for the next 19 years. Bob graduated from the Portland School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Piano and he played with the Portland Junior and Senior Symphonies. His hobby was playing for service clubs and senior citizens events.

Mr. Vance married Doris Clay on February 17, 1955 in Abilene, Texas. He received a number of degrees from Abilene Christian: BA in Bible, 1954; Masters in Bible, 1955; Master of Biblical and Related Subjects with emphasis in Marriage Counseling, 1984. In 1990 he also received a DMin in Grief Counseling.

Bob used the talents God had given him both at home and abroad as a minister. He was a missionary to numerous Eastern European countries and spent 45 years as a preacher in Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Germany and Austria. Mr. Vance taught in Campaigns in Australia, South Africa, and Hawaii. He also taught Bible and music at Columbia Christian College as well as David Lipscomb High School. For 5 years Bob was a volunteer with Randy Becton’s Cancer Caring Ministry. He served as an elder and teacher for the University Church of Christ.

Mr. Vance is survived by his wife Doris of Abilene, his three daughters Ruth Martin and husband Frank of Colorado, Lynnette Stillwell and husband Ron of Abilene, and Deborah Hamby and husband Michael of Abilene, as well as six grandchildren: Kathleen and Michael Stillwell; Michaela and Nathaniel Hamby; and David and Kandilyn Martin.

Services will be held Thursday August 30th, 2007 at 10:00 am at University Church of Christ with burial following at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Piersall-Benton Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Zambian Medical Missions care of University Church of Christ, World Christian Broadcasting, 605 Bradley Court, Franklin, TN 37067 or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford St, Abilene, Texas 79605.