David Elman Conger died of cancer on Dec. 15, 2008.
Dave was born in Bristow, Iowa, on May 5, 1917. Growing up during the Depression, his gun skills from age 6 contributed to keeping food on the table for his family. After he graduated from Penn State University in 1939 with a degree in forestry, his love of the mountains drew him to Sun Valley, Idaho, just prior to World War II. He returned from military service to meet and marry Sadie Augusta (Gussie) Fletchner in 1948. David was hired by Weyerhaeuser and worked 30 years for the company, moving often with Gussie while raising three children. They lived in California until Gussie's death in 1984.
By coincidence, Mary Jane Griffith had met David Conger in 1942 as her archery teacher while he was employed in Sun Valley. Drawn there again after the loss of his wife, he renewed his earlier acquaintance with Mary Jane Griffith Marin in 1986, resulting in marriage in 1990. Dave was a much-loved husband, partner and friend to Mary Jane and her children. Mary Jane and Dave spent 22 exceptional years traveling, hiking and sharing active adventures when not residing at their mountain residence in Ketchum, Idaho.
Dave Conger was 91 at his passing, but young at heart. Until very recently, he was walking several miles a week and enjoying the changing autumn colors at their North Fork home. The Congers traveled to Jacksonville in November where Dave and Mary Jane had a wonderful family gathering with all three of Dave's children at Thanksgiving. After this timely reunion, his health continued to decline.
He was a remarkable man. He lived a life of quiet successes and made many contributions to the lives of others along the way. He seldom spoke of his service in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during World War II, but he could show you every mountaineering knot imaginable without any reference to how he learned to tie it. David was a kind, gentle man, with a quiet presence, a beautiful smile, an incredible eye for detail, an appreciation for quality and impeccable taste. His awe for nature and wildlife was inspiring. The simplicity of life brought him great joy. Though well traveled, when asked about his trips, his first comments involved the flora and animals or birds that might have been encountered along the journey. Although nature was his beloved theater, his range of interests and expertise was broad. His eager investigation of geography, politics and history matched a hands-on ability in carpentry.
David's patience with projects and people was extraordinary and he was beloved for it. His tolerance and lack of cynicism were innate. So was a wry and acute sense of humor, which, though natural for him, demanded a shrewd listener. His quick wit was rife with sarcasm at times, yet superbly funny in a fine-tuned way. His asides were always accompanied by a sly smile to see if one was aware enough to catch the humor. His optimism and goodwill took him through life gracefully, regardless of the challenges. He leaves us with not just memories but also with the desire to refine the qualities in ourselves that he so gently expressed. We have enjoyed the great privilege of having known and loved a profoundly good man.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Conger; three children from his previous marriage to Gussie Fletchner Conger, Brad Conger (Karen), Cynthia Robinson and Diane Conger; four grandchildren, Brad's son David Conger, Diane's sons Chris, Kellen and Kyle Kirby; five stepchildren, Jim, Corinne, Lynndee, Myra and Michael Salaka Marin; and a step-grandson, Corinne's son Carson Rutherford.
