Robert Conklin

1931 - 2022

Conklin, Robert
Louis
05/20/1931 - 12/06/2022

South Denver native Robert Conklin died in his home while being cared for by his children due to complications from a fall. We are heartened by the knowledge that he has rejoined his wife of 67 years, as he was still grieving her passing two years earlier.

While a student at South High, Rob was an elite gymnast and undefeated wrestler, winning state championships at 165 pounds in 1949 and 1950. He and his twin brother Rich both joined the Navy when the Korean War broke out. Rob served on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam Fighter Squadron VF-713, where he co-wrote the lyrics to "Antietam Blue and Gray", the carrier's anthem.

Rob met Shirley Younghein at Grant Junior High, and they married in 1953 following their graduation from South and Rob's return from the Korean War. Early married years were lean, with Rob working a succession of difficult jobs: servicing telephone lines, unloading heavy rolls of sod, and helping build a Wyoming dam, while Shirley cleaned motel rooms. Son Gary and daughter Michelle followed. But Rob's childhood home had inspired him with music and poetry, and so, during the years of heavy, hard labor he also pursued his intellectual and spiritual passion at the University of Denver, graduating from DU in 1957 with his Master's Degree.

Rob then began more than a half century of serving the students of Denver. He was a teacher of English literature and coached wrestling, cross country, football, and track and field at South. He was Vice Principal at South and was the District Athletic and Student Activities Director from 1971-1988. He was Administrative Assistant to the DPS Superintendent from 1988-1990, and then conducted disciplinary hearings for the District till he finally retired in 2011.

He served as President of the Colorado High School Activities Association and was also a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations Athletic Advisory Committee, representing five states. Additional public service included serving on the City's Parks and Recreation Council, the Police Athletic League Advisory Committee and the Colorado State Drug Conference Committee. He was inducted into the Denver Prep League Hall of Fame (1991), the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame (2001), the National High School Sports Hall of Fame (2002), the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame (2009), and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2011) where he was named Outstanding American from the State of Colorado.

Rob was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Jo McNeley, and his wife, Shirley Jewel (Younghein) Conklin. He is survived by his identical twin Richard (Beverly), and his younger brother, Kenneth, as well as son Gary (Nancy) Conklin, daughter Michelle Conklin (Mark Thalhofer), and grandchildren Greg (Melissa) Conklin, Jeff (Beth) Thalhofer, and Emily Thalhofer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, with whom he shared a special bond. The family extends its heartfelt and profound gratitude to loving caregiver Yolanda Adams and the Namaste Home Hospice staff.

Rob's friends and colleagues are invited to a Celebration of Life on Friday, January 6th, 2023, at 1:30, at the Wellshire Inn. A committal service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, at 11:15 sharp, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Shelter C. Please gather by 10:55 at Staging Area C Parking.