Gerald R Conover

Dr. Conover was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 13, 1937, to Harry R. Conover and Nora Lee Stone Conover.  He lived most of his childhood and young adult life in Owosso, Michigan.  He attended Charles Stewart Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan, and transferred to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor where he worked his way through to receive his undergraduate degree and his PhD in Neuroanatomy.

Dr. Conover began his professional career at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio teaching in the Physical Therapy Department.  He subsequently transitioned to the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine, now the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was instrumental in teaching gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and histology to osteopathic students.

In 1981, Dr. Conover relocated his family to South Florida to help establish The Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in North Miami Beach along with Dr. Morton Terry, and Dr. Fran Higginbotham.  He initiated the Anatomy Department setting up a full dissection anatomy lab as well as histology and neuroanatomy lab. With the transition of SECOM to join Nova University to become Nova Southeastern, Dr. Conover designed a state-of-the-art gross anatomy lab with full cadaver dissection utilized by hundreds of students in many of the health fields.  He was instrumental in educating thousands of osteopathic students who are now practicing in the community and across the country.  In addition, he helped educate physical therapists, dental students, optometry, and physician assistants.

Dr. Conover also taught at Barry University as well as being a laboratory instructor at the University of Miami Medical School.  He was a member of The Anatomical Board of the State of Florida. On an annual basis He attended the board meeting to help procure cadaver specimens for the local education facilities. He represented NSU to be sure his students had the best dissection specimen for a full gross anatomy and neuroanatomy experience. His unparalleled knowledge of anatomy, and teaching expertise combined with his gentle demeanor and dry wit made him a favorite of students. His hands on approach in the laboratory left a lasting impact on his students.  He was a recipient of many awards including professor of the year and the Golden Apple award in recognition for his stellar performance in teaching expertise. He retired from Nova Southeastern University on July 1, 2016, as professor and chairman of the anatomy department after 35 years of service.

His legacy will live on in perpetuity through the physicians and health care professionals he educated and all the lives those professionals continue to heal and save on a daily basis. 

His passion for teaching excellence was exceeded only by his love and passion for his family. He was a major supporter and influence of his wife Lynette Sieracki’s education and training and private practice endeavors. 

His love for his sons was manifested by his continued support of their academic, athletic, and personal endeavors to the wonderful men they are today. 

He was a bicycle enthusiast, enjoyed weightlifting, swimming, and golfing with his friends. He was a 25-year member of St. Gregory Catholic Church in Plantation.

Dr. Conover is preceded in death by his parents Harry R. Conover and Nora Lee Conover of Nokomis, Florida previously Owosso, Michigan, and his sister Shirley Conover of Ft. Lauderdale.

He is survived by his wife Lynette Sieracki, D.O.  and sons Terrence L. Conover, Esq. and Christopher Lee Conover and sister-in-law Dora Sieracki.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a contribution to the Gerald R. Conover scholarship fund for deserving osteopathic students at Nova Southeastern University. See the link for donations: www.nova.edu/kpcom-conover-sieracki-endow-scholarship  for the memorial donations on NSU’s website.  A meeting and greet of the family will be held on Friday evening after the visitation at 7 p.m. at the Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home. 

Visitation arrangements to be held at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home in Davie on March 15 with times to be seen at the website. Deacon Victor Martinez will officiate a prayer celebration at 7:00 pm and family and friends will have an opportunity to contribute memories of Dr. Conover. A memorial service and Memorial Mass will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Plantation, Florida, and entombment at the Queen of Heaven, catholic cemetery in North Lauderdale, for all of those who can attend.