Vance Ike Robideaux

Vance Ike Robideaux passed away from injuries connected to a car accident. He was 80 years old. Vance was born in Port Arthur, Texas and spent his childhood there, finding a love for gardening and woodworking. He was always proud to tell you he began working at age 12.

While Vance attended Lamar University, he self-funded a solo trip around Europe, where he crossed over to the east side of the Berlin Wall after befriending a local soldier. He met his future wife Mary while they were both working at Big Bend National Park. They married a week before Vance began studies at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. After graduating, Vance did a one-year surgery residency at Parkland Hospital. He was then drafted into the Navy and stationed at Jacksonville, Florida. While learning how to give anesthesia before going to Vietnam to help with surgeries, the war ended before his training was complete. While in Jacksonville, he administered anesthesia twice to John McCain as he recuperated from his POW injuries. His Navy experience led Vance to change his focus to anesthesia, and he completed his residency at the University of Colorado and the University of Michigan.

Vance then established his practice in Oklahoma City, spending most of his career at Mercy Hospital. He never stopped pursuing and perfecting new hobbies. He was a longtime season ticket holder of OU basketball, learned how to sail and play golf, and was a licensed pilot. He retired in 2010.

In retirement, Vance returned to his love of gardening, wood turning, rock music, and reading. He loved planning trips with his wife, Mary, and became an expert at following snow reports so he could catch the best ski days in Colorado, New Mexico, and the little-known slopes of Utah.

Vance and Mary had two daughters, Ann Robideaux (Jesse Neuman) and Susan Griggs (Bryan Griggs). They have two grandchildren, Gray Griggs and Jude Robideaux Neuman, who were the joy of his world. He is also survived by his two brothers, Paul and Russell, 4 sisters-in-law, two nieces, 3 nephews, 4 great nieces, and 1 great nephew.