Arthur S. "Art" Vance

VANCE, Arthur S. "Art" Born April 8, 1941, left us October 8, 2005. Long-time resident of Sebastopol and familiar figure at the Sonoma County Airport. Loving husband of Judie for 44 years, dedicated father of Debbi Maney (John), Sharon Page (Brett), and Dan Vance (Cathryn). The coolest grandpa of seven: Jason, Nicole, Jack, Emily, Win, Abby, and Natalie. Who else had a grandpa with toys like a World War II Jeep, motorcycles and a droptank race car that they were encouraged to pilot by the age of 5? Survived also by his mother, Sally Burt, and his sisters Stephanie Criswell, Virginia Volovick, and Carol Monsour. Uncle Bud also will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews, and his many cousins. The most loyal of friends, Art could be counted on in any time of need, or at any celebration. Always adventurous, Art avidly indulged in his favorite pastime: restoring, flying, racing and instructing in World War II aircraft, most notably his P51 "Speedball Alice". He served as president of the Unlimited Division of the National Air-Racing Group. Known to many as the "air boss" at the Reno Air Races, Pylon Racing Seminar, and the Tunica Air Races. Even before his retirement as an airline captain, he loved backpacking, hiking, biking, tennis and duck hunting with his son Dan. Given a drinking straw and a piece of chewing gum, he could fix anything. Art never missed an opportunity-for fun or to help a friend. He leaves a legacy of many shared good times, a generous heart, and a lesson of a life well-lived. With a devilish grin and a roaring laugh, his was not an unfinished life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cure Autism Now (CAN) in Art's memory, 5455 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 715, Los Angeles, CA 90036.