Dec 11, 2020
On Saturday, December 5, 2020, Donald R. Vap, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 in Sanibel, Florida. Don was born July 22, 1942, in Hastings, Nebraska to Raymond and Grace (Vance) Vap. He spent his formative years on the family farm in Holstein, Nebraska where he worked and studied hard. As a result of his academic efforts, Don graduated from Holstein High School at the age of 16 as class valedictorian. In addition, he was also a proud member of the Holstein Panthers basketball team that earned back-to-back state championships. Don continued his education at Kearney State where two events occurred that would shape his life. First, he met his future wife, Janice on a blind date, and second, he was encouraged by a professor to sit for the dental school admission examination. He continued his studies at Creighton University Dental School and was a member of the 1965 graduating class. Don practiced general dentistry for several years while in the Coast Guard before en