John Conkling

Dr. John Alexander Conkling passed away in Austin, Texas on Saturday, December 18, 2021. He will be remembered not only as the world's leading expert on fireworks, but as a devoted husband, loving father and beloved grandfather.

A proud native of Baltimore, John was a 1961 graduate of Baltimore City College. He received his B.S. degree in 1965 from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, and in 1969 his Ph.D. in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduation from Hopkins, Dr. Conkling returned to Washington College as a chemistry professor, where he and his wife Sandra made Chestertown their home. During this time, he began consulting with Dr. Joseph McLain in energetic materials and pyrotechnics, which ultimately led to his storied career in the fireworks industry which spanned almost 50 years (with more than 40 trips to China).



Dr. Conkling is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost experts in pyrotechnics. He served as the Executive Director and Technical Director of the American Pyrotechnics Association for over 30 years, and was instrumental in drafting many of the nation's fireworks regulations. He holds 8 patents and conducted Pyrotechnic Seminars at Washington College for nearly 3 decades. He is the author of The Chemistry of Pyrotechnics: Basic Principles and Theory, and BOOM! America's Ever-Evolving Fireworks Industry.



A recipient of Washington College's Distinguished Teaching Award, Dr. Conkling retired from Washington College in 2012 and was awarded its Alumni Service Award in 2013 for his numerous contributions to the college. He and his wife were active in the Chestertown community supporting the college and local charities.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and their children – Melinda Conkling Hart and her husband Ed Hart of San Antonio, Texas, and John Conkling, Jr. and his wife Tavia Conkling of Austin, Texas. He is the beloved grandfather of John Maxey Hart, Edward Austin Hart, Julia Valliant Conkling, and John Alexander Conkling, III.

Nothing made "Poppy" happier than fishing with his close friends (the Fish Hawk Angling team), watching his grandchildren play sports, and enjoying the beautiful sunsets on the Chester River from his backyard surrounded by his family and many friends. His kindness, humor, generosity and keen intellect will be greatly missed.

Services will be held in Chestertown in the spring 2022. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Washington College or the Boy Scouts of America.