Gary Louis Vance, MD

Gary Louis Vance was born in Columbus, Nebraska on January 17, 1942, to Louis and Ernestine Vance. He grew up in a farming family in Chappell, Nebraska, where he engaged in the community and demonstrated dedication and leadership. Gary was proud to attend the Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA, and achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He went on to attend Hastings College, where he was very involved in the band, choir, and many other activities. He graduated with distinction and was recognized with the Bronco Award in 1963. After completing his undergraduate studies, Gary attended medical school at the University of Nebraska. It was during this time that he met his wife, Louise Erickson. The two were married in 1966. Gary began his medical career with an internship in Ogden, Utah, and completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Washington. During their time in Washington, Gary and Louise welcomed their children, Andrew and Jeanette. The Vance family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Gary took his first job at Poudre Valley Hospital. After eight years in Fort Collins, they relocated to Yuma, Arizona, and later to Grand Island, Nebraska. As their children grew up and left home, Gary and Louise spent time in Iowa and Arizona before eventually returning to Fort Collins. Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed a wide range of activities. He played baritone and marched with the Shrine Band, loved boating, and indulged his wanderlust traveling the country by RV, often taking his grandchildren to various national parks. In recent years, he sang bass in the Silvertones Senior Choir and enjoyed meeting up with his Tuesday breakfast buddies to talk sports and life. Gary was also an avid gardener who gladly shared his harvests with friends and family. He was a passionate Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, and an animal lover—especially devoted to his Havapoo, Olli. Gary was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Louise, his son Andrew and his wife Yolanda, his daughter Jeanette and her husband Jeff, grandchildren Peter and Lydia Vance, and Alex and Calli Errett, and his sister Janet and her husband Larry. Please consider a donation in his memory to the Food Bank for Larimer County, Pathways Hospice, or a favorite charity.

Tributes

Gary Louis Vance, MD

January 17, 1942 - February 27, 2026