Birth: 1936 Death: 2024 Robert “Bob” Vance OBITUARY Robert (Bob) Eugene Vance passed away peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side on August 2, 2024. Bob was born to William and Della Mae Vance on March 3, 1936 in Long Beach, CA. He spent his childhood, with his younger brother Bill, in Avalon Village (Carson) and Wilmington, California.
Bob was a proud Banning High School alumnus (Class of 1954) and followed Pilots football all his life. He earned his Associates of Arts degree in Chemical Engineering at Harbor College. Bob worked for Shell in various chemical, research and refining operations laboratory positions.
Bob also worked for Occidental Oil in research and development. After a combined 40 years in laboratory positions, Bob happily retired in 1994. Bob met the love of his life, Linda Elizabeth Grant of Wilmington at the beach in the summer of 1955.
After a fairy-tale romance, they wed June 29, 1957 in Wilmington. They lived there until 1973, when they moved their family to Long Beach, CA where they lived until 2017. They spent the last seven years in Laguna Niguel, CA.
Together they shared a love of family, friends, good times and dancing for 67 years. Bob was an active guy. From HS basketball and football to intermural/pick up games, Bob loved playing sports.
He was a lifelong golfer and member of the Wilmington Chili Peppers golf club. He enjoyed gardening and kept a great yard. He traveled the U.
S. West in his R.V.
with Linda. He fell in love with camping, hiking and fishing the Eastern Sierra mountains from Bishop to Lee Vining. Bob’s interests ranged from many genres of music; he especially liked going to see live shows, blues and jazz topped the list.
He admired beautiful cars and always had a nice ride! Bob kept up on current events and discussions of the same. His reading list was extensive with historical fiction and biographies, his favorites. And oh yea, FIGHT ON TROJANS! His greatest joy was his family.
With his wife by his side, he enjoyed years of fun and love, travelling, golfing, fishing with his family. We’ll miss his dry sense of humor, caring smile, and deep love for us all but he’ll live on in our memories. Bob is survived by wife, Linda, daughter, Kelly (Vance) and son-in-law, Pat Fitzgibbon; Son, Bob, daughter-in-law, Lynn; and grandchildren, Jack Vance; Shane (and Diana) Fitzgibbon, and their son, Jamie; Colin (and Christina) Fitzgibbon and their children, Agustina and Victoria; and Kyle Fitzgibbon.
Honor with Flowers In memory of Robert Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Robert.
