July 10, 1917 - January 22, 2013
Richard Phillip Vance, known by many as "Poppie," died in his sleep January 22 at age 95 of congestive heart failure.
He had been eager to go "Home" to his Savior Jesus Christ. Born in Table Rock, Nebraska, on July 10, 1917 to Hal Hershe and Ada Walter Vance, Richard was raised in Wymore, Nebraska, where he met and married Kathryn Elaine "Keda" Hughes. They were married 57 years, and had seven daughters.
Richard graduated from Oklahoma State University; was in the Army Air Force in World War II (doing airplane maintenance at U.S. bases); and worked in a variety of jobs, from Boeing to Washington States Department of Public Instruction.
Richard loved to teach - from university students, to guitar students of all ages, to "the 3 R's" to elementary students. He volunteered at Redmond's Vern Patrick from 2002-2005, and then in Yakima, Washington, until his death. For decades he and Keda played guitars and sang at churches, nursing homes, and other places.
He will be greatly missed by the many people his life touched.
Richard is survived by six daughters: Mary Jon Vance (Roger Ridgeway) of Mt. Vernon, Washington; Lisa (Jesse) Taber of Oregon City, Oregon; Sheila Vance of Yakima, Washington; Cindy (Damien) Lee of Tacoma, Washington; Julie Vance (Michael Arboit) of Seattle, Washington; and Kelley (Leah) Vance of Seattle, Washington; 9 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Diane Vance; his parents, Hal and Ada Vance; his sister, Norma Jones; his wife, Kathryn; and his grandson, Luke Pickard.
A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sat.,, Feb. 23, at Westside Church, 6901 Summitview Ave., Yakima, Washington.
