- He passed away on April 1, 2012 at his home in Boise of a fast growing cancer.
Richard ("Dick) leaves behind his wife, Sue Conner of Boise, brother Ray Conner (Michele) of Murrieta, CA, three daughters, Carol Minter and Barbara Blackburn (Rex) and of Boise, Jane Reeves (John) of Donnelly, four grandchildren, Ashley Minter and Tara Morgan of Boise, Lisa Reuth (Cory), and Dare Lamberson of Austin, TX, and two great-grandchildren, Damian and Cara McKiernan, both of Austin, TX.
Preceding him in death was a 4th daughter, Patricia Rousey, who lived in Belize, Central America.
Dick graduated from Gardena High School in Gardena, CA in 1948, where he lettered in basketball, track, and tennis, was sports editor of the school newspaper, President of the Boys Union, and member of the Knights, a school service club.
He attended El Camino College in Lawndale, CA for two years, where he was on the track team, running the 880 and winning the Metropolitan Conference Championship in 1949.
He also won the All Christian Conference Championship in that event in 1950 at Biola College in L.A., where he graduated with a B.A. in 1954.
Dick's career employment included: Assistant Director at a youth center in east Los Angeles; a Baptist minister in Oakesdale, WA; many years as a YMCA Director in Culver City, California, Van Nuys, CA., Twin Falls, ID, Boise, ID and Seattle, WA. He also was Idaho State Director for United Cerebral Palsy Association and Idaho Multiple Sclerosis Society, and served as a fund-raiser for the Idaho Heart Association.
He most enjoyed his work with the YMCA as Camp Director, working with the Y-Indian Guides, and as State Director for the YMCA Youth and Government Program for 18 years.
His recreational activities centered mostly on tennis. He was a member of the Boise Racquet and Swim Club from its inception in 1967 to 2004, founded the "All Idaho Seniors Tournament, in which he placed 3rd in the national playoffs in 1995, and won two silver medals at the World Senior Games in St. George, Utah when he was 70. He also won or placed 2nd several times at the Grass Court tournament in Baker, Oregon during the 90's. In recent years he turned to "Pickleball", because of its shorter court.
Dick was also involved in social and political activities: as a member of the Idaho Peace Coalition; volunteer for the Idaho Democratic Party; and in writing monthly published Letters to the Editor of the Idaho Statesman. For the past several years, he never missed a month of sharing his thoughts with the community. He became an avid reader and writer and considered himself a "Deist."
He said his most coveted times in recent years were spent visiting with his daughters and grandchildren, and sharing early evenings with Sue on their deck swing, listening to music, holding hands and sipping a glass of wine. He was a good father, a good friend, and a good man. He will be missed by all who knew him.
At his request, no formal service will be held, and he will be cremated.
Published in Idaho Statesman on April 8, 2012
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1930 - 2012 (82 years)