Lawrence H. Conklin Jr.

Lawrence H. Conklin, Jr. Lawrence H. Conklin, Jr., of Wallingford, Connecticut, formerly of New York City, died Sunday, February 7, 2016 in Wallingford. Mr. Conklin was born on December 28, 1933 in New York City to the late Lawrence H. Conklin, Sr., and Mildred DeCarlo. Mr. Conklin was 82 years old. An early passion for mineral collecting, instilled in him by a favorite uncle, Anthony Schumacher, formed the basis of Mr. Conklin’s life’s long work. He became, after several years studying geology and mineralogy at City College of New York, one of the premier dealers in collector’s mineral specimens. In 1988 he founded, with a partner, a publication which they entitled Matrix, A Journal of the History of Minerals. He was the author of a number of articles published in The Mineralogical Record, as well as the author of an unpublished bibliography of the works of William Loring Andrews (1837-1920). Mr. Conklin was a man of many and varied interests, spending many a happy hour researching those interests. He was additionally an author, lecturer, consultant, and appraiser. A member of a number of professional and avocational societies, Mr. Conklin counted among them, memberships in the Grolier Club, the Saint Nicholas Society, and the General Society of Colonial Wars. He was an honorary member of the New York Mineralogical Club. He was at last a gentleman, scholar, a loving father and a trusted and loyal friend to many. Surviving are a brother, Ronald (Hilda) Conklin of Palm Coast, Florida; a son, Charles V. Conklin of Wallingford; and a daughter, Sarah C. (Ian) Zimmerman of Wilton; two nieces and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Halina Z. Conklin. At Mr. Conklin’s request, there will be no funeral services.