Donald L. Vine, M.D.

Donald L. Vine, M.D., 83, Cardiologist, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Don was born October 11, 1939 to Donald O. and Leatrice Vine in La Junta, CO. Preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Vickie Terrell. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nancy S. Vine; son, Christopher (Kate) Vine of Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Amanda (Kevin) Wiley of Boise, ID; and his beloved grandchildren, Max and Owen Wiley. Don attended Washington High School in Los Angeles, CA, completed his Bachelor’s degree at Stanford University and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine. He served his medical internship, junior residency, and fellowship at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, AL and his senior residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, MA, before serving in the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He then completed his fellowships at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. In 1974, Don began work as an Attending Physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY. During his time there, he was the Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory and served briefly as the Acting Clinical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. Don and family moved to Wichita, KS in 1979 where he continued his career in interventional cardiology and served as the Kansas College Governor for the American College of Cardiology from 1990-1993. He later returned to academic medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita where he attained professorship, and trained and mentored future physicians. Throughout his career, Don contributed to medical publications and abstracts, presented at seminars and conferences, and continued not only to learn but also to share his learnings with the medical community. He was an American College of Cardiology Trailblazer Award recipient for his frontier work in the expansion of cardiovascular services in the state of Kansas. Don’s greatest passions outside of work were his family and photography. Even before retiring from medicine, Don began “working” as a photographer. Initially concentrating on medicinal plants and herbs, he expanded into all types of flora, fauna, and landscape photography, culminating his work as a digital art photographer. He used his gifts to create images that have been featured in galleries and facilities around the city and in homes across the country. He always loved traveling with his wife and transforming his photographs into digital art for others to enjoy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to KU Endowment, 1010 North Kansas St., Wichita, KS 67214, to support cardiology education at KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give. Please indicate that donations are for the “Don Vine, MD Memorial.” Come for a casual and joyful celebration to share stories and remembrances commemorating the life of Don Vine at 6:00 pm, Friday, June 9, 2023, at Botanica. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.