Born in Asheville, North Carolina to Joseph and Clara Conlon, he was the seventh of fifteen children. Richard, also known as Dick, Dad, and Pepaw, was known for his love of his family, friendly demeanor, service to others, Catholic faith, storytelling, and obsession with golf. Therefore, it is perfectly fitting that his last day on Earth was spent hunting golf balls during a round of golf with friends.
Dick took a job as a caddy at the age of nine years old. It was a decision that would forever affect his path through life. Through caddying he earned a full scholarship from Western Golf Association, Evan’s Scholars Foundation to THE Ohio State University. It was during his time at Ohio State that he met the love of his life, Carole Crain, whom he married in 1967.
Following graduation, Dick took a job with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Work took him, Carole, and their kids to many states over the course of his 40-year career, and, during assignment in Texas, he earned a master’s in public Health from the University of Texas at Austin. Dick served in multiple divisions of the CDC, including sexually transmitted disease prevention, global immunization, and viral hepatitis prevention. He founded the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable and was proud of his success in fundraising for scholarships for the children of federal employees. After his retirement in 2002, Dick remained involved as a public health consultant and as a member of the Watsonian Society. He has been described by his colleagues as “the model public health servant.”
Dick thrived in his retirement because it meant he had more time. More time to spend on walks with Carole. More time to tell stories and play games with his family. More time to spend serving as a Eucharistic minister in the hospital. More time to meet with his friends, The Geezers, for coffee. More time in his happy place: sitting in his recliner, watching golf on TV while Carole worked in the kitchen. More time to write his two books: one a memoir of life as one of 15 children (You Must Be Catholic), the other, stories from his time as a venereal disease investigator (From the Merry Widow Bar To...). And of course, more time for golf. He played regularly and was quite accomplished, having made 7 holes-in-one, shooting his age 20 times, and winning senior club championships in both Georgia and South Carolina.
Dick will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his devoted wife of 56 years, Carole, their 5 children: Heather Staton, Ted Conlon (Debbie), Joe Conlon (Amy Monroe), Jeremy Conlon (Laurie), and Emily Getz (Steve), his 12 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, his countless friends, and his dear siblings: Tony, Judie, Suzy, Kathy, Joan (deceased), Mike, Rosemary (deceased), Chris (deceased), Peggy, Nora, Larry, Moe, Connie, and Cindy and their families.
A visitation will be held from 3-5pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Mackey Mortuary, 311 Century Dr., Greenville, SC 29607, and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 309 Gower St., Greenville, SC 29611. Interment will be private.
Dick requested that the dress code for both his funeral and visitation be golf attire and bright colors!
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.
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