Obituary: Conley, Dr. Glen
Age 91
CONLEY,
Dr. Glen
July 18, 1920 -
November 5, 2011
Glen Conley noted Spokane Children’s Dentist passed away at the age of 91 on November 5, 2011.
Dr.
Glen Conley was a self made man who personified the American Dream.
He grew up a “poor farm kid”, the son of Marie and Roydal Conley, near Cheney, Washington.
In high school he set track and field records, entertained with his beautiful baritone singing voice, and drew attention as an outstanding football player.
He received a football scholarship and with ten dollars in his pocket walked onto the campus of the University of Washington.
At the University, he soloed with the glee club and played football.
He became famous as one of the “bird cage twins”.
Because he and his teammate wore glasses, the coach invented the “bird cage” so they could wear their glasses while they played.
The “bird cage” became the face guard of today.
After college, Glen was a medic with the Army Air Corps.
He was not called overseas because the military needed him to play football stateside for the Second Air Force Superbombers.
He later played semi pro and pro football briefly until a lung hemorrhage sidelined him.
It was then that he went to dental school.
He graduated with the first class of the new University of Washington Dental School.
Glen Conley and Barbara Stronach had their first date when they were in the seventh grade.
Their love endured the separation of going to different colleges, the difficult war years, the challenge of working and struggling through dental school with two small children and the loss of a baby son.
They shared a passion for music and were an amazing couple on the dance floor.
Barbara would play her violin and Glen would sing.
They raised four children in an environment of laughter, love, music and sports.
Sports were always a huge part of Glen’s life.
He was a “crack shot”, winning trap and skeet competitions.
He could shoot an aspirin tablet out of the air with a BB gun.
He loved fishing and bird hunting and competed in plug casting and duck and goose calling.
He was an avid and excellent golfer and enjoyed his time at the course — plus the gin rummy afterward!
He was a long time member of the Spokane Country Club.
He and his family spent weekends skiing at Schweitzer.
Glen was a beautiful skier and he loved those deep powder days!
They called him “Iron Legs”.
Glen Conley was the hero of our lives, and not just because of his great success from humble beginnings.
He taught us — by example — to treat everyone, regardless of race, religion, creed, or economic status — with kindness and respect.
He taught us to stand up for what we believed in, to speak up, to be involved, to care.
He PLAYED with us, read to us, had great discussions with us at the dinner table.
He believed in us and encouraged us to “make something of yourself”.
He loved to laugh and kept his sense of humor and charming ways his whole life.
One of “Papa’s” favorite songs to sing was Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”.
Glen lived the last years of his life “his way”, in his home with his dog and cat.
He passed away in his own room with his children by his side and we are grateful that he was able to get his wish.
Thank you to his special caregivers Shoko, Laura, and Carolyn for their kindness.
We will miss him terribly, but believe that he and his beloved Barbie are reunited, flying off to somewhere beautiful together.
They are probably playing a little golf, doing a little fishing, singing and playing the violin, and DANCING — may they always be dancing!!
!
Glen was preceded in death by an infant son John Scott, his parents, his sister Mildred Newstrom, his son Todd Conley, and his wife Barbara.
He is survived by a brother Don (Margaret) Conley of Huntsville, Alabama; daughter Jan Conley Waldrup of Sandpoint, Idaho; daughter Peggy Conley of Newcastle, Washington; son Steve (Carrie) Conley of Richland, WA; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lilac Blind Foundation or to an animal shelter of your choice.