Dr. Richard Kevin Vance

Dr. Richard Kevin Vance of Horse Cave passed away Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center after a battle with cancer. He was 59 years old. A native of Hart County, Kevin belonged to Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he participated in many mission trips to Honduras, serving as a medical missionary. He was a former member of the Horse Cave Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon of the Church as well as serving as Teacher, Director, and Treasurer for Sunday School. He graduated from Caverna High School in 1981, going on to attend Western Kentucky University and then Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he received his D.V.M. in 1988.He opened the Hartland Animal Hospital in Horse Cave in 1993.

Kevin was very community-minded, belonging and contributing to many clubs and associations, including the Horse Cave Rotary Club, Gideons International, Cave City Chamber of Commerce, Hart County Chamber of Commerce, Hart County Cattlemen’s Association, and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association.  He was also a member of numerous professional organizations: the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and Society for Theriogenology. In 2015, he helped to start Animal Rescue Kare (ARK) as a founding board member and started the ARK foster program.

Kevin was a devoted father and gentle, kind, patient man who touched the lives of many. He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Sherman Vance; his paternal grandparents, Marvin and Mittie Vance; and his maternal grandparents, Wayne and Edith Barron. He is survived by his daughter, Claire Channing Vance; his mother, Eleanor Vance; his brother, Alan Vance (Chinda); his nieces, Aston Bailey and Lucinda Vance; his nephew, Kade Bailey; and his beloved partner, Melody Chaney.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the Horse Cave Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the Horse Cave Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will occur on Saturday morning at Horse Cave Baptist Church from 9 AM until time of service at 1 PM.

Donations in memory of Dr. Vance may be made to ARK. P.O. Box 427 Munfordville, Ky 42765

Condolences may be expressed online at www.winnfuneralhome.com