John Milton Vance (MIDTERM)
October
5, 1937 – November 4, 2016
John Milton Vance went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2016 at the age of
79. Born in Houston, Texas on October 5, 1937 to the late Helen Heisig Vance
and Andrew Milton Vance. John married Louise Jane Briers Vance and they were
happily married for over 33 years.
John was a very loving husband, father, and friend. He enjoyed riding
motorcycles, playing tennis, and dancing. John was an avid sailor for many
years and enjoyed racing sail boats at AYC. He was kind, honest, and a loyal
friend. He was a devout Christian and a member of Emmaus Catholic Parish in
Lakeway, TX. John had a harmonious and quite disposition. He loved sharing
ideas and addressing complex problems. John was an excellent engineer and
teacher. Those who got to know John grew to love and admire him for his
principles and deeds. He was a blessing to others and will be greatly missed.
John is predeceased by his parents, Helen Ruth Heisig Vance and Andrew
Milton Vance, and grandson, Brian Locher. John is survived by his wife Louise
Jane Vance; children, Linda Stites, Valerie Locher and husband Scott Locher,
John Vance Jr. and wife Samantha Vance, and David Vance and wife Jessica Vance;
grandchildren, Justin Smith and Lindsay Stites, Lauren Locher, Evan and Preston
Vance, and Elijah and Joshua Vance; great-grandchildren, Raven and Gavin Smith;
numerous nieces and nephews; great nieces and great nephews; and a host of
friends and colleagues.
John was a Mechanical Engineer receiving his Bachelor of Science, Master of
Science, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Vance developed
rotordynamics laboratories at the University of Florida and Texas A&M
University, where he conducted experimental testing and analytical research on
rotordynamics for 39 years. He specialized in Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery,
Vibration Dampening Seals and Bearings, Vibration Measurement and Analysis,
Industrial Compressors, Turbochargers, Energy Storage Flywheels, and Wind
Turbines. While teaching, he held twelve summer appointments at Pratt &
Whitney Aircraft, USARTL (Helicopter Propulsion Lab, Ft. Eustis), Southwest
Research Institute, Shell Development Co., and the UT Center for
Electromechanics. He was an inventor on several patents relating to rotating
machinery, and vibration reduction. He was an ASME Fellow, and a registered
professional engineer in the State of Texas. He also held positions at Armco
Steel, Texaco Research, and Traycor, Inc., and consulted on government and
industry projects. During his time at Texas A&M, he wrote the book
Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery and co-authored the book Machinery Vibration
and Rotordynamics. He also published more than 90 technical articles and
reports. John received many awards and honors including Outstanding Graduate
Teaching Award, ME-TAMU, Halliburton Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Turbomachinery Symposium Advisory Committee for TAMU, and Admiral in the Texas
Navy, commissioned by Governor Mark White. Since his retirement from Texas
A&M, he continued consulting and teaching short courses.
A service for John will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Emmaus
Catholic Parish at 1718 Lohmans Crossing in Lakeway, Texas 78734. The Rosary
will begin at 9:00 AM followed by a viewing, visitation and sharing memories of
John. Mass will begin at 11:00 AM followed by a social gathering at noon in the
Church Parish Hall. A private burial service will be held on a later date.
Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services
