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View a eulogy for Vane Quentin Bates, USMA '55, who passed away on June 22, 2013.

Vane Quentin Bates

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Orem Daily Herald on June 28, 2013:



Vane Quentin Bates Jr.

October 31, 1931 - June 22, 2013

With great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Vane Quentin Bates Jr. our cherished husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Quent was born on October 30, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the oldest of four boys, to LaRue Nielsen Parkinson and Vane Quentin Bates. He grew up in Boise, Idaho where he became an avid fly-fisherman, an Eagle Scout and a lover of the outdoors. He graduated from Boise High School after lettering in basketball and track and serving as student-body president.

In 1951, after attending BYU for 2 years, he received a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Quent excelled academically there, and graduated in the top 3% of his class with a degree in engineering. He played on the Academy's basketball team. Schofield Barracks, Hawaii was his first duty station where he met his future wife Anna Marie Larsen Beal, while surfing off Waikiki. They were married in Carmel, California on June 21, 1958. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple on September 27, 1961.

Quent resigned from the Army after three years and began his life's work as an elevator consultant. Through his leadership, Lerch Bates and Associates has become a world-renown elevator consulting company with 27 offices worldwide.

He was a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a devout Christian, Quent strove to live a Christlike life which was evident in all he did. Quent had a deep and abiding love for his wife Anna. They celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary the day before he passed away. His greatest joy came from his family. Quent was a very active alumnus of West Point and an avid Army football fan.

Quent and Anna lived in Littleton Colorado for 44 years moving to Orem, Utah 5 years ago. Survivors include two brothers, Steve and Tom, his wife Anna, daughter Christy Kirkland (Scott), their children, Kevin (Jen), Casey (Ashley), Kelly Heinz (Bryce), and Cary. His son's Jim, and Steve (Noelle) and their children Anna, Miller and Caroline. Great-grandchildren include: Cali, Cole, June and Chase Kirkland and Benson and Griffin Heinz.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Canyonview 10th Ward Chapel 762 East 1200 North, Orem. A visitation will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem and also Saturday at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral services. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.


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