[Oe List ...] Bill's tribute to Vance

[William Alerding]

Vance injected himself into my life when I first moved into the 5th 
City Program Center in 1967, where we were both housed. His loud, 
brash, Texas-style humor immediately endeared him to me and we began a 
long & dear relationship that endured for almost 38 years.

Our friendship deepened when Vance was assigned to join us in Sydney, 
Australia where he  replaced a local pastor on long-term leave. When 
Barb and I were assigned for 10 weeks to run the Applecross 
Congregational Church in Perth as well as do 10 courses, Vance  wrote 
out for me a brilliantly done sketch of 10 sermons based on RSI. They 
were extremely well received by the congregation. I have often found 
Vance's lectures and colorful board work well-designed and memorable.

Since returning to the U.S, in 1993, we renewed our relationship and 
visited each other a number of times, always with great raucous 
enjoyment. It was painful to see him physically   deteriorating the 
past few years.  He has left us with strong memories of a decisive, 
take-charge personality with a heart as big as the sky. We are thankful 
that he is now beyond pain and he will always be a welcomed part of our 
lives.

Bill Alerding