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Vincent Conner Obituary

Vincent Lloyd Conner, 56, died peacefully in Colorado Springs on October 27, 2011, fifteen months after being diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 1955, to Dalton and Katherine Conner, Vince was the oldest of four children. He spent his early childhood in Kansas, Arkansas, Germany, and Texas, before the family moved to Colorado Springs in 1964. Vince graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1973, and earned a bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his master's in Business from the University of Kansas. The seeds of Vince's professional life were planted when as a teenager he worked summers in his father's periodontal practice on Academy Blvd. In 1983, Vince began his career as a medical and dental practice consultant in Dallas, Texas. Ten years later, he returned to Colorado Springs, which he considered home and where many of his clients resided. As president of Vince Conner & Associates, and as a managing partner in ConnerWolf & Associates, he gained a reputation for skill, sensitivity, and forward thinking. He influenced the business of health care on local, national, and international levels, serving clients throughout the United States and accepting invitations to speak internationally on the challenges experienced by physicians and dentists in a rapidly changing environment. Many of his clients regarded Vince as not only a trusted advisor but also a true friend. Vince embraced all he did with energy and enthusiasm. His personal passions included world travel, bicycling and outdoor adventure, reading, music and art, good wine, his home, and his family and friends--often in combination. He is remembered for his thirst for learning and experience, and for his enjoyment and appreciation of people everywhere. Vince loved to laugh, to share the excitement of ideas, and to tell stories. Always he strived to make the world a better place, and he did so with generosity, compassion, and humor as well as determination. Vince is survived by his parents; his wife Pamela and stepsons Bryce and Blake Young; his siblings Darcie Johnston, Keith (and Leslie) Conner, and Jenee (and Paul) Schmergel; and his nephews and nieces Seth, Drew, and Lena Johnston, Jennifer and Erin Conner, and Graham, Chloe, Alec, Olivia, and Tate Schmergel--all of whom surrounded him with love in his last weeks and days. His close friends Joyce Wolf and Robert Sweeney were also at his side, as were Joe Grossi and Susan Rissman. A memorial service to celebrate Vince's life will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at 2:00, at the Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Avenue in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Peak Education, 730 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, (719) 389-1249 ext. 1, www.peakedu.org. To read about Vince or to contribute an entry, please visit Vince's website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vinceconner.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Conner

Sponsored by Jenee Conner-Schmergel and the rest of his loving family.

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August 3, 2012

Just read of Vince's passing. We so loved him and appreciated his professional guidance. We will truly miss him tho we did not see him often. Enjoyed him and his father at our home in Kaufman Tx for dinner several years ago. What a wonderful friend. Bill and Norma Fortner, Kaufman, Texas

Dr. Nicholas Gadler

February 20, 2012

Vince was a true professional, a fantastic human being and the best in the world at what he did. In spite of being sick, he helped me with the valuation and sale of my practice right up until his death. He really cared about his clients on a personal level and took care of them like family. He will be missed beyond words.

Don and Linda Krigbaum

November 23, 2011

Katherine and Dalton,

Don and I are very sad to hear of Vincent's passing. And truly sorry to have never had the pleasure of meeting him. The obituary is a truly beautiful account of his life and what a tribute to him. May God's presence be with you and the family in the days ahead.

Love to all...

Tresa Wolfe

November 23, 2011

Vince was responsible for my position 25 years ago at Periodontal Associates of Jackson (Jackson MS). His knowledge and humor were his greatest accets. We always looked forward to his visits. He made us a better practice. He made us better people.

Tricia Blackmun Koff

November 16, 2011

Dear Jenee,
I am so very sorry. I lost my brother (50) in August. There are no words. I encourage friends and family to share stories about Vince in this Guest Book. Share memories of all kinds as a legacy to his loved ones. I plan to print our book on the one year anniversary for my brother's son (8) so that when he turns 12, 16, 18 he'll have this testament to the man, his father. That has been the one healing focus for me. I have also uploaded over 50 photos. I did not know Vince but my heart goes out to you and your family, especially your parents.

Dr. Jack Saxonhouse

November 16, 2011

Sadened by his loss. He was a true professional. I enjoyed working with him.

November 12, 2011

As a friend of Keith, Leslie, Jennifer and Erin I wish to express both Don's and my sorrow at the loss of Vince.

Charleen and Don Roberts

Kristin Prall Stacey

November 11, 2011

I have many fond memories of "growing up" with the Conner's and Vince was certainly apart of those. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Warm Thoughts

Kurt Ottinger

November 10, 2011

To the entire Conner family,
I am profoundly saddened by the news of Vince's passing. I will always remember our high school days together and the good times we had. My sympathies are will all of you.

Anne Wilkerson Allen

November 10, 2011

Sending much love and many blessings from childhood. <3

Dr. Tom Kassube

November 9, 2011

We are so very sorry that Vince is gone. He was a wonderful gentleman that helped us alot. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. We will miss Vince alot.
Midwest Periodontics
Sioux Falls, SD

Bob Winkler

November 8, 2011

Dear Dalton and the entire Conner family,

I am deeply shocked and reminded life is short and to tell those we love how we feel.

Vince was the architect of our successful dental partnership of 11 years which was a feat in itself. But when medical disability forced an early retirement of my dental partner, he was a prime orchestrator of our exit strategy to be fair and remain friends. He was the voice of reason in the midst of confusion. I am truly sad for each of you and your loss, and for me as well, having lost what I consider a true friend who looked out for me when I needed him. Well done Vince.

Clay Johnston

November 4, 2011

Dear Conner's and relatives, you have my heartfelt sympathy in Vince's early departure from this life.
Sincerely
Clay Johnston

Trudy Taxman

November 3, 2011

Dear Dalton,Kathy, Pam, Bryce and Blake,
We were so sad to hear about Vince. May the support of family and friends help you through these difficult times. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.
Love, Trudy and Dale

Barbara Cohen

November 2, 2011

Dear Connor Family,
As a friend of the Schmergel family, I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Judy and Tom Gillette

November 1, 2011

Dear Conner Family. Please know that Tom and I are so very shocked, so very sorry. I remember Vince, his siblings and those semi-annual dental examinations ....and watching those children grow!

Julia Dito

October 31, 2011

Dear Conner Family,
As a friend of Jenee's I send my condolences to the family.
Love, Julie Marvin Dito

Renee Keith

October 31, 2011

I had the priviledge of working with Vince on several committees. I was shocked this morning reading the newspaper and finding Vince's face looking back at me.

He was a fantastic person to work with and you had to run to keep up with him.

I will miss him!!!!!

To his family, Pamela and sons my deepest sympathy for your loss.

In love, light and grace,

Renee' Keith, RScP

Vincent Grossi

October 30, 2011

I'll miss chatting with Vince. I always enjoyed listening to his stories, or his opinions and thoughts on the topics that came up.

Sally Folsom

October 30, 2011

My deepest sympathy for your loss. It is a horrible disease. May you find peace in knowing that Vincent is now healed.

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