Robert David Vincent
1942 – 2021
Robert David Vincent died in the early morning hours of December 6, 2021 after a determined battle against AML Leukemia.
His long and distinguished career was dedicated to public service and committed to good government, human rights and quality education. Dr. Vincent was active in Democratic politics, and formerly President of Action Analysis, a political consulting firm whose clients included Andrew Young, John Lewis and numerous governors and US Senators. He was inspired throughout his life by Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In the 1976 Presidential Campaign he played a key role in the election of Jimmy Carter as President of the United States. Appointed United States Parole Commissioner by President Carter, he led the reform of Prisoner Release and Supervision Guidelines, leading to the most substantial reduction of incarceration in Federal prison history.
As Assistant Chancellor for Higher Education of Oklahoma, he led the development of the Oklahoma Plan for Desegregation of Higher Education, was especially influential in the integration of the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and led in the efforts to marshal federal grants to support diversity in higher education.
He also served as President of the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority.
Dr. Vincent served as Deputy Commissioner of Health for the State of Oklahoma. During his tenure, he helped lead efforts to establish an efficient health data system for Oklahoma and chaired Governor Walters Task force on Welfare and Medicare reform, the recommendations of which shaped the creation of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. He was also an integral part of the response to the Oklahoma City Bombing which led to his becoming recognized internationally as an expert on the psychological impacts of mass casualty events, subjects which he subsequently taught as a visiting faculty member of the Oklahoma University Department of Psychiatry and the OU College of Public Health.
Preceded in death by his parents and brother, he is survived by his sister Patricia Black and brother Bruce Vincent and their families, by his children Rebekah Lindsay and John West and grandchildren Star, Sky and Lauren.
He is also survived by his dearly beloved wife, Carol Ann Kratz and their family Bill and Paige Kratz and Kristy and Brian Free and six grandchildren.
Dr. Vincent’s brilliance as a scholar, his invincible integrity, irascible honesty, his infectious sense of humor and his love of OU Football and Softball continue to deeply influence his many friends and admirers across the country.
There will be no services at this time. Friends and family can make donations to the charity of their choice.