Mel Connet

1952 - 2024

Mel Connet
11/16/1952 - 11/18/2024
Melville Dwight Connet III, known as Mel, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024 at Stanford Hospital.
Mel was born on November 16, 1952, in Kansas City, Missouri. He met his wife, Margaret Connet, during their undergraduate years at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating in 1975 with a BBA and highest honors, Mel and Margaret moved to Dallas and were married.
Early in Mel's career, he was the first non-founding executive officer of Amarco Resources in Texas. In 1985, Mel received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and he and Margaret then settled in Atherton, California to raise their family.
After working as a CFO for a series of technology startups, Mel went on to have a successful career in the executive search industry. He served as Vice President and Partner with Korn/Ferry International, and as Partner-in-Charge of the Software Industry Group and member of the Board of Directors of Heidrick & Struggles. Mel later founded Connet & Company, where he led high-impact, officer-level executive search.
Mel was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Margaret; his son Jonathan Connet and wife Maya; his daughter Jennifer Connet; his grandchildren, Charlotte and Parker, who lovingly called him "Grandpops"; and siblings Sally Connet, Frank Connet, and Cindy Richter.
Mel cherished time spent at their coastal home, which he designed and built with Margaret, as a reflection of his passion for architecture and sunsets over the ocean. He embraced adventure; traveling the world with his family, and pursuing a skydiving license in his later years. He is remembered for his unfailing integrity and strength of character, his meticulous and passionate pursuit of his dreams, and his unconditional love and support for his family.
Mel's loving heart and adventurous soul will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.