Born and raised on a Kansas farm, Vincent L. Bogart, Wichita attorney, might have become a farmer like his father had it not been for an aptitude test which showed he could be a lawyer or an accountant.

Vincent was born on the family farm near Kirwin, Kansas on June 8, 1922. He graduated from Kirwin High School in 1939, valedictorian of his class, and spent a year at Fort Hays College. In 1940, his older sister encouraged him to go to Washington, D.C., and he found work as a messenger boy at Atlantic Coast Line Railway. After 6 months with the railway, he became a Federal Reserve Board page and was promoted to supply clerk. Then on to the War Production board where he was administrative assistant, attended George Washington University and joined Sigma Nu. In August 1942, Vince enlisted in Army Air Force Cadets and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant, single engine fighter pilot, and in February 1944 was assigned to the Aleutian Islands. Decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and Victory medal. After one year, he transferred to Waycross, Georgia where he trained combat pilots. Honorably inactivated in 1946, he went back to the farm. Remembering his early aptitude tests he decided to study law and in January 1951 he entered Kansas State University. Vince met his future wife, Julia R. Henry, in April 1951 on a blind date. They both loved acting and appeared in The Rivals, Mad Woman of Chaillot and Light Up The Sky and each received a best actor Oscar.

After marriage in August 1952, he entered Washburn Law School and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1955. Hired by the law firm Jochems, Sargent, and Blaes in Wichita, he joined the West Side Democratic Club and was elected Precinct Committeeman. He was elected from 68 District in Wichita to the state legislature and served from 1957-1959. In 1960, elected president of the West Side Democratic Club and Chairman for the Sedgwick County Democratic Committee. In a letter dated January 21, 1960, John Kennedy appealed to Vince for his support with the Kansas delegation to win the nomination in July and the election in November. Vince hosted Kennedy's first visit to Wichita. He drove Ted Sorensen and Larry O'Brien in a car following Kennedy's, to campaign speeches at the Blue Moon and Lawrence stadium. On the way back to the Allis hotel, Sorensen and O'Brien joked in the car that Kennedy was such a speech deviant. Later that year, Ted Kennedy came to Wichita and spoke at the West Side Democratic Club to promote his brother's candidacy. In 1961, Vince started his own law firm. From 1963-67, Vince served on the Wichita City Commission, and as Mayor in 1964-65. He represented Wichita at Orleans Joan d' Arc festival, the anniversary for freeing the city by American troops in WWII, and gave a speech in perfect French. Vince and Judy were invited with 50 other Mayors of large cities to meet President Johnson to discuss the Vietnam War with the President and his Cabinet. They dined at the White House and afterwards, joined couples in the foyer for dancing. President Johnson cut-in to dance with Judy and drawled "Are you having a good time?" During Vince's tenure, he supported President Johnson's war on poverty, passed a fair housing law and signed the contract for Century II.

Vince served as Chairman State Democratic Platform Committee in 1966-67, was appointed Wichita State University Board trustee, and then chosen by Governor Robert Docking as legislative representative in 1967-68. In 1968 he served on National Democratic Platform Committee and attended as a delegate the national convention in Chicago. The turbulence at the convention in Chicago interrupted with a show of force between demonstrators, and Mayor Daley's police. The joke among the delegates was to nominate Hubert Humphrey as President and Vince as Vice-President so the ticket would read Humphrey Bogart.

He was appointed to the Board of Regents, State of Kansas in 1969. In 1972-74 and again in 1976-77, was the special assistant to the Attorney General, State of Kansas. He served on the local, state and national Bar Associations. In 1990 he received the Howard C. Kline Distinguished Service Award from the Wichita Bar Association. He was a member of the Trial Lawyers Association at both state and local level. Recognized in Who's Who in American Politics and Who's Who in American Lawyers. Served under Governor Sebelius as Judge of the Workmens Compensation Court and ended his career as of counsel to Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman and Zuercher in 2000.

His survivors include his much loved wife of nearly 60 years, Judy, and lovely children Candace Miller (Richard), Lee Bogart (Cherie), Celeste Racette, and Cynthia Sandin (John). 'Oompa' was the name affectionately given to him by his grandchildren; Renee, Matthew and Robert Racette, Janelle and Andrea Bogart, and Caitlin and Anders Miller.

Vince died on Monday, March 26, at home surrounded by loved ones. Private services were held at the Bogart cemetery in Kirwin, Kansas on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.