David Peter Conklin

Dave, a true Wisconsinite, lived life to the fullest, bringing the love of sports and the opportunity to participate to others, regardless of their ability. He ensured sports were accessible to all he met by providing equipment and coaching. He loved teaching – whether to a five-year-old on the ice, lecturing to a college class, or coaching wounded veterans. He was a pioneer in bringing sled (sledge) hockey to the United States. Among his many accomplishments, Dave was inducted into the Olympic/Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2022 with his sled hockey team of brothers, who won a Gold Medal in the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Paralympics.
Dave's other sporting accomplishments included a Bronze Medal in Sled Hockey at the Torino 2006 Paralympics, participation at the Nagano 1998 Paralympics, and many World Cup competitions. During his long sports career, he was rated in the top 50 in the world in wheelchair tennis, rode with the national cycling team, and was a certified downhill ski instructor. He played almost every adaptive sport out there at some time in his career, including wheelchair basketball, football, softball, waterskiing, cross-country skiing, and kayaking.
Through Dave's gracious spirit and love of giving back, he taught at sled hockey clinics throughout the country, taught skiing, rode his handcycle thousands of miles in charity events, made sure friends always had clubs to try golf and provided equipment and instruction to Wounded Warrior camps. Even through his final days, Dave constantly asked how can I help?
Throughout his life, Dave repeatedly defied the odds of life and was always intense about sports, traveling, the outdoors, competition, giving back, or simply raising a glass to celebrate. He never gave up; he will be missed.
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Dave deeply loved and appreciated his family, friends, and teammates! He was predeceased by his father, Charles Conklin, and brother, Steven Conklin. He is survived by his longtime partner Carol Sims, his mother Lois Conklin, and eight siblings as well as their spouses and children: Paul, Mark, Dan, and James Conklin; Kathy Thulien; Julie Zink; Mary Carran and Jenifer Solem. Contributions in Dave's memory may be sent to the Star Association (which includes the Coulee Region Sled Hockey Team) at PO Box 1024, La Crosse, WI 54601, with the name Dave Conklin in the memo line or online at www.starcenterlacrosse.org