DR. KIM A. LANCE

DELAWARE — Dr. Kim A. Lance, Delaware, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016.

Kim was born on April 11, 1960, in Wooster, Ohio to James D. Lance and Naomi Myers Lance. After graduating from Waynedale High School in 1978, he attended The College of Wooster, class of 1982. He then earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Ohio State University in 1988.

He began teaching at Ohio Wesleyan University in the fall of 1988. Over the years, he was awarded several teaching honors including the Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for the Encouragement of teachers and became the fastest-promoted faculty member in Ohio Wesleyan history.

He also served as Chair of the Chemistry Department before being tenured. His research in inorganic chemistry, published in several journals, continued until his death. He was not only a passionate teacher, but also caring mentor and friend to his students and colleagues.

In his personal life, Kim was a baseball fanatic, first as a youth ball player, and later as a youth coach, umpire, rules interpreter, and, for many years, Commissioner of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. He was an avid Cleveland Indians fan.

Kim was also very involved in wrestling, having been a top level wrestler in his youth. As a teenager, he was the first State Wrestling placer from Wayne County. Later in life, he was a loyal supporter of the Delaware Hayes High School wrestling team — often driving team members to off-season events, as well as helping to found the team's Mat Backers Association. He also worked at the State Wrestling tournament for many years.

Kim was preceded in death by his father, James D. Lance. He is survived by his mother, Naomi Myers Lance, brothers Gail (Janice) Lance and Mitchell (Barbara) Lance, his wife of 28 years Judith R. Maxwell, sons James and Paul, daughter Marie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robinson Funeral Home in Delaware is in care of arrangements.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 55 W. Lincoln, Delaware, Ohio on Friday, Nov. 11.

Gifts in his honor may be made to the Kim Lance Scholarship Fund with the Pacer Mat Backers c/o P.O. Box 75, Delaware, OH.

Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories shared online at www.RobinsonFuneralHomeInc.com.