Robert "Bob" Eugene Conley

Robert "Bob" Eugene Conley, aged 85, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Nancy Carol (Hitzelberger) Conley; devoted father of Teresa "Terri" Ferguson, Robert "Bob" Conley, and William "Bill" Conley (Lauren); dear brother of Jack Conley (MaryJo), Bonnie Hlavsa (Gary), and Sandy Vecere (Nick); loving Poppop of Jonathan Bognaski, Haley Ferguson, Colby Ferguson, Heather Joy Conley, Delaney Utter, and Madison Utter; also loved and survived by his sisters-in-law Jeanne Hitzelberger, Jackie Palmisano, Laurie Edwards (Randy), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Jane Conley, and his sister, Joy Wahl.

Bob was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and attended University of Maryland in College Park. After completing his education, Bob worked in the construction field alongside his father.

In 1960, he enlisted in the Army Reserves as a medic. In 1962, he met the love of his life, Nancy Hitzelberger, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage, and 3 children.

In 1972, he moved his family to Bel Air, and soon became the owner of Bill & Earls, which sat on the corner of Bond Street and Route 1, and later renamed it to Bel Air Automatic Transmissions. He was the original owner of Mr. Steak in Benson and was a member of the Greater Bel Air Business Association. Bob was instrumental in organizing the Halloween celebration and haunted house held on Main Street, the bathtub races on the 4th of July, and Tom Sawyer Day.

In 1974, Bob started the Bel Air ASA Slo-Pitch Softball League and sponsored the Bill & Earls Team. He was the founding member of the Chicken Chokers Softball Team that participated in the Bel Air Social and Slo-Pitch Softball League from 1974 to 2022.Bob was active as a coach for the Bel Air Parks and Recreation baseball league from 1976 to the mid 1980's.

Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge, American Legion Post 39, and a past member of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, where he rode the ambulance as an EMT.

Bob was a lifelong Orioles and Baltimore Colts/Ravens Fan, and an avid softball player into his 60's. He also enjoyed playing golf, tennis, and practical jokes. Bob loved spending time with his dogs and his family and friends, in that order.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company or Shriner Children's Hospital.

Visitation will be held at Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, Inc., 610 W MacPhail Rd, Bel Air, MD, 21014, on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A funeral service will take place at Bel Air United Methodist Church, 21 Linwood Ave, Bel Air, MD, 21014, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 1:00 pm. The committal service will be at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock Spring Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014.