Vance Allbee Newcomb of Lompoc was born March 7, 1926 in Santa Cruz, California to Leighton Charles and Verdie (Allbee) Newcomb.
He attended several mountain schools and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in June 1944. He joined the Marines and saw action in the Pacific and occupied Japan for ten months. He married Maxine Hanneman, and in the next eight years they had three children they dearly loved.
In 1950, he graduated from San Jose State with a BA in Industrial Arts. After teaching for two years, he joined Convair and in 1959 was sent to Vandenberg AFB as a Field Service Representative on the Atlas program. After three years he stayed as an Engineering Writer for General Dynamics until, in 1974, he realized his dream of owning a print shop.
Vance was a kind and gentle man who loved people, especially children. He introduced many to his passions: his church, music, Christian camping, backpacking, stargazing, genealogy, and writing (notably the Historical Society's "The Legacy" as editor and publisher for 25 years.)
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Craig and Don. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Maxine, their sons Kenneth Earl and Lynn Thomas (Kathy) Newcomb and daughter, DeEtte Carol Johnson; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Solvang/Santa Ynez branch of visiting Nurse and Hospice Care for their tender treatment of Vance.
His memorial service will be 11:30 a.m., September 16, 2017 at First Baptist Church, 200 W. Cypress. Memorial gifts may be given to the historic First Baptist Church roof's fund.