Robert "Bob" R. Conley

Robert “Bob” Rex Conley passed away at home on Sunday, September 15th, 2024 surrounded by family watching his beloved Green Bay Packers. He was born August 12, 1930, to Sam and Gladys Heringer. 

Bob was a PROUD US Military Veteran. Bob served first in the National Guard, then in the US Navy during the Korean War on the USS Arcadia AD 23. While on leave from the Navy, he met the love of his life Vivian “Honey” Alice Perkins. Bob loved to tell a story that on subsequent military leaves to visit Honey, he would hitchhike. He learned a valuable lesson about hitchhiking in rural Maine late at night with a bear encounter. They shared 70 years of marriage raising four children. 

Following his honorable discharge from the military, Bob went on to work at Trane Company where he advanced to a foreman role for 34 years. Bob also worked a variety of other jobs such as packing La Crescent apples, delivering apples, and driving semi. Bob was the Hillside Road resident welder for any metal repair, farming repair, or fabrication. He loved to tinker in the garage. 

Bob had many passions in life: 1: Honey, 2. Family, 3. Packers and Brewers. He enjoyed welding, ballroom dancing, farming, hunting, playing euchre, boating and fishing. Bob loved to drive and was so proud of his brand new truck, he was known at The Riverstation as 9 o'clock Bob, where he would enjoy comradery, a newspaper, and the inside scoop of all things Brownsville. 

He was survived by daughter Becky (Bruce) Russell, son Rex (Roxanne) Conley, and daughter-in-law Stephanie Franzose and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife Honey Conley, daughter Rowena Herring, son Roy Franzose, his parents, mother, and father-in-law. 

He was a kind and gentle man with endless patience. He loved to sit and listen, when asked what the secret to his longevity was he would yell out ”I NEVER smoked!”. He always said his secret to his happy marriage was to “kiss her every night” and when there was a disagreement to “let her win”.

Special thank you to Mayo Clinic Hospice Team, Marcia from Quality Comfort Care, Kim from Allpro, Kristi McCabe, and the VA in La Crosse for supporting his wishes to pass at home with dignity surrounded by family. He was always grateful for the La Crescent Gundersen care team, Dr. Metz, and Dr. Waniger. 

Per Bob's wishes, there was a private family gathering and military honors.