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Some of our GREAT MEMORIES - our Friend Bob Vance
July, 6, 1961 to May 14, 2007
click the images below for slideshows (might be slow to load
on slow connections)
Bob's Memorial Brick is located in
Section 70 at the National Corvette Museum ( NCM)
Note: Section 70 is to the right of the main entrance.
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Bill Berryhill located Bob's Brick during his June 2008
trip to the
NCM, and shared these photos with us |
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A photo of the brick before it was placed - photo by the
NCM |
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Bob's Obituary |
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Bob at Car Shows |
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Bob at Competition Events |
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Bob being Bob |
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Friends having lunch at
Angelo's on the 21st, after the memorial service |
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In Memory of Bob (contribute if you would like
to)
Bob Vance was a member of
Cowtown as well as three other Corvette clubs. All
four clubs have decided to go together to purchase a
brick at the National Corvette Museum in memory of Bob.
After talking with the museum and looking over
brochures, I found there is 12"x12" brick that is $600
(member price) or $650 (non-member price); and a 24"x24"
brick that is $2500 (member price) or $2600 (non-member
price). I believe Bob was a member of the museum and
many of us are, so we should be able to get the member
price for either brick.
The design on the brick
can be up to 6 lines, maximum 16 spaces per line or we
can do a custom design. We will be taking donations from
all members at the next two membership meetings (June
and July) toward the purchase of the brick. Barb and Red
Greenfeder have taken their time to make a donation box
that will be sitting on the bar at Coors during both
monthly meetings. Please feel free to drop your
donations in this box. Please make your checks payable
to "The National Corvette Museum". If you have any
questions, please call me at 817-379-6182 or email
me. Thank you all. I know Bob will
appreciate this.
Karyn Fowler
Cowtown Vettes Charity Coordinator 2007 |
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has offered to
donate the necessary artwork if a custom design is
desired |
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My Memories of Bob (contribute if you would like
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"What a RUSH - but you guys are
nuts" as he crawled out of our Autocross Vette after
taking a spin in the passenger's seat. He had a
similar comment on the way back from Eureka Springs in
the fall of 2005... of course he was trying to eat
breakfast while following us down Hwy 23 in his '96
(6-speed). Bob, Good Friend - you'll never be
forgotten and we are going to miss ya!!!!
...Doug & Glenda McMahan |
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At certain times in our
lives we come in to contact with a very unique person
that really touches us. Bob was just that type of
person. The one thing that I always noticed he would
give me a hug and talk to me with undivided attention,
like you were the most important person around.
We took our two sons to Bob's house for the Cowtown
Social. Our sons were totally impressed with Bob and all
his toys. Chris always dreams of becoming wealthy after
law school and owning a Ferrari. After that night Bob
would always greet Ted and I and ask about our son Chris
and his process in college and getting ready for Law
School.
I think we are all spent special people that touch are
lives and it does not matter how long you knew them but
that you made the connection. ...Ted & Linda Anthony |
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One of my favorite
memories of Bob was back in 2005. It ws during the
progressive dinner, and his home was the final course,
which was the dessert home. Anyway, I remember him
talking about his cars and what his plans were for them,
as far as future shows and so forth. He was a gracious
host as he spoke with everyone. I will always remember
his endearing smiles and chuckles. He was always very
friendly and polite to anyone and everyone who came into
contact with him. He had a zest for life and a love of
corvettes, that I, quite frankly, admired. He will
surely be missed.
Bob was a true lover of
the sport of Open Road Racing and it showed. I don't
think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. The
image of him smiling and laughing as he would speak at
the podium is what I will remember.
...Sheila Plowman |
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Bob Vance, what a guy! We
will certainly miss him, his smile, and his “firm”
handshake. Bob was a regular in the CTV display at the
Fort Worth Rod & Custom Car show for several years – the
“waxer” version of Bob was equal to his “speed” version.
Bob had a kindred relationship with Rolf Krueger, a
member of CTV who also was taken much too young due to a
heart attack. Bob expressed to me several times that he
sure missed talking with Rolf. Dorothy, Rolf’s widow,
allowed me to take several of Rolf’s books to donate
back to CTV through the monthly 50/50 raffle and she
provided a couple of pictures –I made sure those of the
Ferrari were given to Bob – and he was elated that he
received something of Rolfs. Now Bob and Rolf are
together and probably telling Corvette stories, along
with Jim Rachel, another CTV “waxer” taken much too
soon. We miss you guys, save a place for the rest of us
– but don’t expect us for a long time!!!!!!!!
...Doc Lambert |
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Bob, you were the car guy.
We will all miss you so much. You have no idea how many
friends you had who are at a loss. Thank you for being
our friend. Love you and we will always be thinking of
you.
...James & Kim West |
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We appreciated his giving
spirit and enthusiasim fort he things we valued and
shared. …Dr. Royce Lummus |
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Bob will be dearly missed.
He will be remembered as always having a smile on his
face and making everyone feel welcome. He was loved.
…David & Laurie Robbins |
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We will always remember
Bob’s smile. …Karl & Audrey
Sammuel |
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Bob was one of my best
friends. We had some great times and he will be truly
missed. I know he is up there telling the lord all about
Corvettes and such. God Bless.
…Jack and Karla Gandy |
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As new members of Cowtown
we had just begun to know Bob Vance. As he no doubt did
with everyone, he introduced himself at one of our first
meetings and was a very friendly guy.
We had an opportunity to bond more at a recent car show
we were both in and he expressed interest in a recent
dive trip I had taken. Although he had made an attempt
at diving before, he said he wanted to try again. At
dinner after a recent meeting he told us of plans he had
with another club member to order two C-7s when they
came out and make a major cross country trip and explore
America.
As I thought back about Bob this last week, these two
things stood out in my mind. There are those who would
say these were examples of unrealized dreams. My version
of these are a little different. Unfortunately, I didn’t
know Bob all that well yet, but I was planning on a
better, longer relationship. To me, it seems he had a
nice balance of dreams and reality. He was, as everyone
knows, an active club member, who loved his cars and all
they could do. He owned and loved great automobiles. He
was a regular open road racer and obviously loved every
minute of the time he spent preparing and racing.
In my opinion, maybe more important than his current
activities, was the fact that he wasn’t just
“status-quo”. He continued to expand his horizon and
dream of swimming with whales, cross-country trips, and
who knows what else. We need to take something positive
from his life, and this is what I choose to take with
me. Love your life every day, live every day as it might
be your last, dream of new things, and plan to implement
those dreams. You only go around once in life, you HAVE
to do it right. …Bill Buehler |
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Bob you will be missed!!!
…John & Jan Brefczynski |
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Bob, your laughter and
jokes will make for great memories.
…Red & Barb Greenfeder |
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When Craig and started to
show our C-6, Bob was there to “hand hold” us through
the process. He was our “go to” guy and he encouraged us
to get more involved. We had hoped to see him out on the
track…guess it will be that one road that never ends…!
We will miss him down here! …Craig
& Laura Satterfield |
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Our deepest sympathy to
the Vance Family. …David &
Patricia Gill |
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Bob, your cheerful smile
will truly be missed. Thanks for making our lives better
by us knowing you. …Roy & Mary Allen |
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That charming, mischievous
smile, the big bear hugs, the unwavering attention he
gave…wait a minute, I specifically remember a time when
we didn’t have Bob’s full attention. It was just before
a meeting at the Coors facility, I thought Bob was
engrossed in a “Corvette” conversation with a group of
us when five Coors girls walked in front of the glass
windows heading towards the parking lot. They were
scantily clad and Bob was out the door faster than if he
was on an ORR course. I’m not sure I saw Bob the rest of
that meeting. Yep, that love of the finer things in life
will be something I will remember Bob for. I will also
remember Bob for taking me and Bobby under his wing at
our first ORR. The compassion he had when we weren’t
able to fulfill a recent car show commitment. I too
remember the Progressive dinner at his home/ bachelor
pad (he really had the set up).
Bob exemplified kindness for everyone he touched, a
certain humility and hilarity for life. During Bob’s
services, Marty Laye talked about how we are all better
for having known Bob. A man who had a tolerance for what
we all too often think is intolerable. Marty went on to
talk about Bob’s balance in life and how we should take
a lesson from Bob…and in any given situation you should
ask yourself WWBD (What would Bob do)? What a privilege
it has been to be in the presence of someone of Bob’s
caliber yet so saddened that such a special person has
been stripped from us much too soon. I truly believe Bob
would want us to celebrate his life and his lessons
…Manda Gorman |
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" I feel the need to kick
someone's butt in Poker!".
That line was usually in the e-mail somewhere announcing
the next poker game at Bob's house. Hooters at 6:00 for
a few before-game activities (somehow my hot dog and 1
beer ended up costing me 27.00!!), then on to Bob's.
Someone would bring an AC/DC or NickelBack or some other
loud dvd (I never could find an ABBA dvd to bring) to
play on his big screen which he FINALLY got put up after
several years of us looking at a cardboard box hanging
from the ceiling that was saving the place for the real
projection equipment. "Who brought the lime almonds?
They SUCK!!!". And the talk always went down hill from
there, but in a nice way. 7 card stud, Dr Pepper,
baseball, "the planes are flying!!", chase the b*&ch.
Who is going to mix Bob's next drink? "Can I have one of
your beers?".
Good memories of a good guy.
...Walt Z. |
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Just a few weeks ago I
read a story about the “Lion of Fallujah”. There was
a quote by Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Scott Radetski:
“You can shed a tear because he is gone or smile
because he lived.” I feel that most of us will smile
because Bob lived and was our friend. I only wish I
could have known him longer.
...Hector M Sandoval
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Bob Vance happened
to be one of the very first members of Cowtown Vettes
that I met. He and I became close friends and I will
always miss him. Bob's personality rubbed off on
everyone. His cup of Life was always half full rather
than half empty. Thanks to Bob I was introduced to Open
Road Racing a few years ago. Since I personally never
had interest in Autocross, I became very much interested
in the challenge of Open Road and participate each year.
The Club lost a great young human being. All of us
should carry something in our lives that we learned from
BV. Stan Briney |
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