Lance Rex Bateman, 79 passed from this earth on Monday August 9th 2021.
Born February 1st 1942 to Rex and Viola (Lola Mae) Bateman in Garfield, UT.
Lance was the oldest of four boys and the family lived in Garfield until 1955 when the town was relocated to Magna. He attended Cyprus High, graduating in 1960, then went on to earn a Bachelors degree from The University of Utah, serve in the Army and Army Reserves and In 1970 he married Glenda Bird settling in Sandy, Ut. Helping to raise three daughters and a son. He became a CPA, earned his MBA and worked for Salt Lake City as finance director under Mayor Ted Wilson.
In 1989 Lance moved to Oakland, Ca. to work for the city of Oakland as finance controller and for the next three decades throughly enjoyed life there. Living aboard his 42’ Hershine motor Yacht “Excalibur” in the Jack London Square Marina was a dream come true and he made the most of it. Spending nights at the various bars and restaurants around Jack London, especially Pacific Coast Brewing, he developed a cadre of friends with whom he shared a love of the water, boat life, good food, good wine, good music and of course good beer (he really enjoyed a good IPA). It was during that time he met Sue Rau another kindred spirit. They eventually married living across the estuary in Alameda where they were active members in the Encinal Yacht Club. His boat Excalibur was a fixture at the club hosting many after dinner late night gatherings.
Retiring in 2010 He and Sue continued to live in Alameda until a few years ago when they moved to Rancho Murieta to be closer to family. Still making regular trips to the boat as Lance always loved the outdoors. Wether it was hunting (he was a crack shot), riding motorcycles, skiing, sailing, driving his 64’ Corvette or chasing cows at his daughters ranch he always seemed in good spirits. He had a great smile, a big laugh and very happy dancing feet. He made friends easily and was loved by all who knew him.
Lance is survived by his loving wife Sue (to whom we are eternally grateful for taking such good care of him). His children Charlotte (Steve) Timmons , Michelle (Randy) Henderson, Lance Jr. (Emery), Elizabeth (Mike) Vanderhoof, Scott (Christine) Rau, Holly Rau and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A celebration of life is being held at Encinal Yacht Club the afternoon of November 13. 1-4 PM
and a yet to be determined celebration in Salt Lake City.
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Fogafalelua Suamatai'i
Karen and I met Lance on a random Thursday night at the Pacific Coast Brewery in 1998. We were instant friends. Within months, we bought a small, racing sailboat in partnership, joined the Encinal Yacht Club, learned to sail and spent enough weekends in boats and bars to become best friends for life. Karen and I lived a rich and exciting life around sailing, have a list of permanent friends longer than we could imagine, 23 years of adventures, and without exaggeration, we owe it to being a Friend Of Lance, a status I repeat with unvarnished pride. One year, he convinced us to travel to Utah with him by saying with as serious a face as Lance could have, "You know, it's a special place". We went to The Ranch and met Liz who is as magnetic and generous as her Dad and whether she's willing to know this, for better or worse, she's just like him. She and her husband Mike have become our friends too. So now we have the astonishing privilege of knowing this "Special Place", hundreds of superb people and we know how to ride horses and chase cows... because of Lance. At this sad moment, watching one of the finest men I know pass from our midst, I am compelled to hope that at least a few of us will live like Lance. The world will be better for it. He never pretended he was perfect, nor strove for greatness or idolized wealth. He was a man's man and a woman's gentleman. He couldn't carry a grudge if he were tortured, he couldn't pass up the chance to dance, to say "I love you to Sue, he took every opportunity to tell you what a good person you are and he never tired of saying, "So many beers, wish you were here". RIP my great friend. You are one loved SOB.