Obituary: Conant, Roger Guy
Age 76
Born in Skowhegan, Maine, on September 4, 1937, Roger was the oldest child of Thornton F. Conant Sr. and Ruth Heald Conant.
Roger excelled at Skowhegan High School as a scholar, graduating third in his class, football player, and president of the student body.
Roger became a responsible leader early in life as his father died when Roger was 20 and he had responsibility to help his mother and younger siblings.
He left Maine to attend the USAF academy in Colorado with the first graduating class.
Roger was appointed to the academy by longtime Maine Senator and family friend, Margaret Chase Smith.
Roger went on to serve his country for 24 years, flying B47s, then C130s over Vietnam for two years.
He also served in missile defense, in Turkey as deputy base commander, and served at several other USAF bases, retiring as a Lt.
Colonel, in 1979.
Roger, then brought his young family to Spokane where he was a safety engineer for Aetna Insurance Company for 15 years.
Roger’s love of the out-of-doors started early in the woods and mountains of Maine and he soon found the Priest Lake area much to his liking.
He and his beloved daughters, Shersti and Anna, spent many hours camping, snowmobiling, ATVing, and boating on and near the lake.
He designed and had his home built with a view of the meadow and the mountains he loved.
He was fond of gazing at the view and saying, “always the same, always changing.”
He was a content, fulfilled man who lived a good life, full of patriotism, integrity, and honor.
He spent his life working for his family, country and community.
After moving to his home near Priest Lake Roger was able to indulge full-time in the outdoor activities he loved and to volunteer in the community.
For almost 20 years he worked on the causes he believed in: volunteering in the Priest Lake community to help others through the Kaniksu Lions’ Club, the Groomer’s Committee, and USFS citizen study committees, and serving as the long-time president of the Priest Lake Trails and Snowmobile Club.
He volunteered for various fundraisers, served as an officer and board member, and helped provide leadership, stability, practical suggestions, and continuity.
He always worked for the good of the community not for the glory of Roger Conant.
He had a well-developed sense of stewardship and a very personal belief in God.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother, Thornton F. “Coke” Conant; and grandson, Gabriel Rudolph.
He is survived by his two daughters, Shersten Rudolph of Eloika Lake, WA and Anna Conant of Spokane, WA; his two sisters, Nancy Goodwin of Brunswick, ME, and Sue Flynn, Kennebunk, ME.
Also surviving are four grandchildren: Brody Conant-Asbury, Yerus, Aliyah, Zemichael Rudolph; seven nieces and nephews, all of Maine; and his life partner, Carol Bailey.
There will be no memorial service at Roger’s request.
Memorial donations can be made to Kaniksu Lions’ Club, P.O.
Box 420, Nordman, ID 83848 Family and friends are invited to sign Roger’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.