Obituary of Vance Cline Coover, Jr.

Vance Cline Coover Jr. died peacefully at home March 29, 2016, at 67 years old, surrounded by his family and friends. Vance was preceded in death by his parents, Vance and Helen Coover, and his sister, Joan Coover. Vance is survived by his wife, Lori Bruch of Pocono Pines; his daughter, Abigail Coover and her husband, Nathan Hume, of Brooklyn New York; and two grandchildren, Vesper and Varro Hume. Other close family includes Aldona Smith, Barb and Bob Diettrick, Linda Coover, Norma Evans, Rich Evans, Kristin and Joe Bisagna, and numerous cousins, as well as many great friends that were considered family. Vance was born on Nov. 28, 1948, in Harrisburg and graduated from Cedar Cliff High School. Vance is an alumnus of Purdue University. He has great memories of his college friends and was a loyal Boilermaker. Vance's career spanned 35 years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He began his work as a rehabilitation counselor with progressive responsibilities. He was the district administrator of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in Wilkes-Barre. Later in his career, he served as the interim director of the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Vance was known for his commitment, advocacy and innovation for the employment of people with disabilities. Throughout his life, Vance was an accomplished equestrian, soulful musician and avid tennis player. Vance's interests were varied ranging from opera to bluegrass, great novels to celebrity magazines, Broadway to Austin Powers. In his retirement, Vance traveled to Paris, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Morocco, Gibraltar and most recently toured the off beaten paths of Italy. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Bing Bong.” Memorial contributions may be made to Verve Vertu Art Studio(deutschinstitute.org/verve-vertu) or Serendipity Therapeutic Riding Program LLC at Painted Acres Inc.(serendipitytherapeuticridingprogram.com). A Celebration of Life will be announced at a future date.