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HOWARD CONANT Obituary
Howard Rosset Conant Sr., 86, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Howard was born in Chicago in 1924 and graduated from Von Steuben High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 as a Japanese interpreter before earning is B.S. degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Conant started Interstate Steel Company, a steel service center, in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1946 while he was still a university student. Conant was married for 63 years to his wife, Doris Conant. He was predeceased by his mother, father, and sister, Doris Lawson. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his wit, his humor, his love of life and his generosity. He is survived by his three children, Alison Conant (Rick Frank), Howard Jr. (Pam Rahmann) and Meredith George; and his seven grandchildren, Sarah and Andy Frank, Rachel and Sophie Conant, and Madelyn, Monica and Mason George. In addition to being chairman of Interstate Steel Company, he was president of Elliott Paint Co. When Elliott was acquired by Valspar Corporation, Conant became a director of Valspar. Conant was an avid tennis player, continuing to play singles and doubles tournaments until he was 85. In 2009 and 2010, he was a ranked #1 in singles by the Chicago District Tennis Assn. in the 80 and over division. Conant loved books, read at least one book each week, was an enthusiastic member of his book club. He loved his classes at Northwestern University's Learning in Retirement Program. Conant was a director of Facets Multimedia for over 30 years, a founding member in the Business Executives Move for Vietnam Peace and an active peace advocate throughout his life. A celebration of his life is planned for Sunday, July 17, 2011, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Standard Club of Chicago at 320 S. Plymouth Court. In lieu of flowers, you may want to make a donation to: Planned Parenthood of Illinois (18 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 60603), North Lawndale College Prep (1615 S. Christiana Ave., Chicago, 60623), or Human Rights Watch (325 W. Huron, Ste. 304, Chicago, 60654). Visitation will be on Sunday, May 22, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the family's home at 736 Greenacres Lane in Glenview. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for HOWARD CONANT
Niki Janus
May 14, 2020
Howard Conant offered me my first ever paid job (except for baby siting) at Interstate Steel during the summer of 1960. I learned so much...switchboard operations; that its OK to admit that you dont understand a process and /or problem; how to suggest/recommend changes tactfully, and how to work with older adults as colleagues! I miss him!
rudolf marcel krimmel
May 14, 2019
Howard was like second father to me. I owe him so many things. I loved him deeply. My memories from over thirty years would fill a book. He taught me so many lessons, just by his example and his words.
Now that I'm fighting and struggling also, he is even closer t o me .
Yours for ever grateful german-frnch-sspanish friend,
rudy
Valerie Harris
February 15, 2012
Dear Doris & family:
I just learned of Howard's passing today. I am so sorry that I did not have the opportunity to come by to see you during this difficult time. One of the stories in the papaer states that Howard was that he was generous, and I can attest to that. Although, I was only an employee of his, he never made me feel that way, neither did you or your family. He was so kind and patient,very giving of his time, energy and resourses. I am grateful that I got to know you and your family through working for him. Please accept my familiy's condolences, with love. Valerie Harris
October 2, 2011
I just learned of Howard's passing a few days ago. I was surprised and saddened. Howard and I communicated several times a year up to a year or so ago and it was always a delight. Howard always had so many interesting things to talk about and was concerned and asked about former ISC employees and how they were doing. He will be missed.
Dennis Kildare
rudy marcel krimmel
June 8, 2011
May I really tell how we met and became friends? In Guadeloupe, at club med, I ran into a cow, driving my bike to a secluded beach. Therefore, I was unable to give my group classes and Howard took my job. At this time, I had no idea that he was an important b usiness man and he seemed to be delighted. Our friendship lasted since then, over 38 years and it would take hours to tell all the adventures we shared since, becoming partners in a great tennis club in Martinique, including ATP tournaments, later visiting us in our new home in Lunegarde, France.
To make a long story short, let me just remember when I made him sing "Ol' man river" at a party in Glenview, listening with all guests with enchantmetn to his wonderful bariton. So many memories, to him, to Doris, do Howard junior and Pam, stories I remember in joy and sadness, the lessons he taught me. He was one of the most important men I met in my life.
I will miss him the same way I still miss Robert Vilo, and he will be in my mind till my last day.
rk
Pat Kaneda
June 5, 2011
Dear Doris and family, We miss Howard so much in our literary masters class. He was such an inspiration in his life, with his generosity and his dreams of making this a better world.
May you be warmed by sweet memories of him. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
al golin
May 27, 2011
June and I were saddened to hear the news. I have many fond memories of Howard as a former tennis player at your Glenview home and as a consultant to him on PR for Interstate Steel, etc.
May 26, 2011
Doris,our condolences to you and your family over your loss.
June & Jerry Rotblatt
Mark Kelly
May 25, 2011
Doris and Howard, Jr., Sandy and I have fond memories of Howard. We are saddened to hear that he has passed. Sincerest condolences -- Mark and Sandy Kelly
Chris & Joan Bowers
May 25, 2011
doris and family - we were saddened to learn of howard's death. the years when chris worked on the interstate banking relationship for continental bank were some of the most enjoyable, mostly because of the wit and personality of howard. we had limited contact in recent years, but his friendship will always be fondly remembered.
May 23, 2011
DeeDee and I wish to express our condolences to the Conant family. Howard was an all around good guy and created an environment at Interstate that was enjoyable and successful. He will be missed by all.
Dale Tarpo, Henderson, Nevada
Carol Prins & John Hart
May 23, 2011
Dear Doris
John & I send our love & deepest sympathy on your great loss. Howard was amazing and a real treasure, we will miss his presence,
Carol & John
Hilary & Barry Weinstein
May 23, 2011
Our condolences.
Niki Janus
May 23, 2011
Dear Doris and Family, The world will never be the same without Howard. He gave me my very first job at Interstate Steel the summer before my freshman year at Mills and was a warm and wonderful friend to all of the Januses. We will miss him. Love, Niki
May 22, 2011
Dear Doris;
My heart goes out to you at this sad time. Losing a life-time companion feels like being cut in half. But, as Tom used to say,TOT -- tincture of time -- will help. He was right, though it's a slow process.
God Bless!
Doris Graber
and remember the Lyric Opera days.
May 21, 2011
Dear Doris and Meredith, and all the family, Claire, Lauren and I wish to express our sorrow at the loss of Howard, such a wonderful man. We are privileged to have known him and for him having been a witness to our union. Our thoughts are with you and we will be thinking of you during this time. We will be with you in spirit during the of celebration for his life on July 17th, with love and blessings to all of you, Jane, Claire and Lauren.xxx
Erin McInerney
May 20, 2011
I'll never forget my first encounter with Howard. He boomed "Ciao, bella signorina" at me as we passed in the corridor of a hotel in Florence. Later, we found we were in the same group and I learned that Howard wasn't in fact Italian - but he his exuberance, love of life and great accent had us all fooled. A warm, generous and wonderful man - such us loss for us all. My deepest condolences to Doris and his family.
May 20, 2011
Dear Doris & Family,
It was with heartfelt sadness that I learned of Howard's passing. It was just last summer that I was reacquainted with my cousin Howard. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Fondly,
Merle Lask
May 20, 2011
Conant Family. I spent half my life with Howard. I knew him since I was 7 years old. I remember when he beat cancer more than 20years ago. i am so very sorry.
David
Jack and Betsy Karp
May 19, 2011
To Doris-
Betsy and I wish to express our condolences to you in this time of sorrow-
With deepest sympathy,
Betsy and Jack Karp
May 19, 2011
As another member of the Interstate Steel Co. family since 1963, I along with my wife Ann, are deeply sadded by the passing of Howard. Words cannot describe what a wonderful person and "Boss" Howard was, and what a joy it was to be around him all those years. Interstate employees could not wait to get to the office because it was just so much fun and rewarding to work there. It was a terrific group of people to be associated with; we were given the opportunity to grow and for that we are thankful to Howard.
To Doris, Allison, Meredith, Howard Jr and the rest of the Conant family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Ray and Ann Kivi
St. Augustine, Florida
Kate Lipuma
May 19, 2011
All of us at Writers' Theatre are sending our love, prayers and condolences to the entire Conant family. Howard will be missed!
Ernie Adkins
May 18, 2011
I would like to express Helen`s and my condolences to the Conant family. I worked for Howard for over 25 years, he challenged all of us to make ISC the best Steel Service Center in the industry. We all had the good fortune to be part of the ISC family and a leader in our industry, thanks to Howard.
Marilynn Thoma
May 17, 2011
Howard was a gift to those of us who came to know him, whether it was an encounter on the elevator or a thoughtful and enthusiastic introduction to a speaker. I will miss him dearly and will hold dear the model of his generous spirit.
With love to the family,
Anita Sinha
May 17, 2011
Prabha and I have known Howard for just a few years, but he made us feel like we had known him for a lifetime. We both loved and relished our joyful times with him at all the Chicago Humanities Festival events. He was a warm and gracious man; we will truly miss him and never forget the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye.
May 17, 2011
One measure of a person's life is how he affected the lives around him. Howard gets the gold star for his incredible performance. His embracing of individual careers with a genuine warmth is one of his legacies. ISC was a WONDERFUL, family oriented environment, and Howard was always the ringleader. Many of us count ourselves as very fortunate to have been in the ISC family.
To Doris and the children, my sympathies. There will never be another HRC.
Love,
Dennis Grottola, Franklin, Tennessee
Jackie Baker
May 16, 2011
Alan and I are so sorry for your loss. Eileen and Lamone have said most of what I would say about Howard except to remember the good times we all had together. I don' think I will ever forget the party when Howard ended up in the pool - fully clothed - thanks to Gonso. ISC was such a close family then and Howard, as our mentor and leader, will never be forgotten. Love -
May 16, 2011
thank you so much for the opportunities you gave to all of us at Interstate. You were generous to a fault and made it possible for so many of us to succeed. There will only be one Interstate Steel and that was the company under your leadership. I will miss our lunches. Love Eileen Pazdra
Lamone Carpenter
May 16, 2011
I, along with you the Conant Family, have lost someone very dear. Howard was an incredible mentor who taught me so many marvelous things and always made me feel things were never impossible to achieve. He made me reach higher than I ever thought I could. Although my contact with him in later years was sporadic, he always made me feel like we had seen each other just the day before. I will miss this great man. Thank you for sharing him with me.
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