Eustace Conway III

GASTONIA -- Eustace Robinson Conway III, of Gastonia, passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, 2015, at the age of 89.

Born June 1, 1926, in Henderson, Kentucky, Eustace was the first of three children born to Eustace R. Conway Jr. and Virginia Blackwell Conway. In his hometown of Greenville, North Carolina, he earned his Eagle Scout and was active in high school drama. He became valedictorian of his class at NC State, and then earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He went on to teach chemical engineering at NC State and the University of South Carolina before working many years in industry at the Lithium Corporation of America in Bessemer City. As summer camp counselor, Boy Scout leader, and later as a father of four, he inspired countless young adventurers with his zest for hiking and love of nature: wildflowers, birds, and stars sparked his curiosity. Classical music, in particular opera, proved to be the thread that stitched his days together.

Eustace is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen Johnson Conway, by his brother Paul (Johnnie) of Raleigh, his brother-in-law Bob Fliedner of College Station, Texas, his sons Eustace IV, Walton (Betty), and Judson (Eunice) of Boone, and daughter Martha (Gary Norberg) of Wake Forest, as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister Martha.

The family plans a private memorial service and to scatter his ashes on the mountain tops he loved. Condolences can be left at the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, www.CremationSocietyNC.com.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial donations can be made to Friends of Crowders Mountain, www.FriendsOfCrowders.com.