Bruce A. Conklin

Bruce Alan Conklin, age 68, passed away on Nov. 28, 2015 after a long illness.

Bruce was born on July 30, 1947 in Detroit, Mich. He was the son of Anne Sterrett and the late Arthur Conklin. He spent most of his childhood in Michigan. His family moved to Illinois in 1964 and he graduated from Palatine High School in 1965.

In September of 1966 Bruce entered the Army and received his basic training and advanced infantry training at Fort Carson, Colo. One year later Bruce was deployed to Korea where he served in the 707th Maintenance Battalion and was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Sergeant E-5.

Bruce married his wife Sandy, his high school sweetheart, in July of 1969. In 1970 he was accepted in the Pipefitter’s five-year apprenticeship program and eventually was the Field Engineer at the Zion Nuclear Power Station in Illinois. In 1987 the Conklin family moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona for warmer weather and a slower pace.

Bruce held several offices and appointments in the American Legion at all levels in the state. He served as Fountain Hills Post 58 Commander from 1995 until 1997. He also held various positions in the district and served as the District 12 Commander from 2002-2003.

He also served as District 12 Bingo Chairman from 1999-2002 at the Arizona State Veterans Home and served on the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee at the district level. In the American Legion Department of Arizona he served as Area B Chaplain for two years and as Department Vice Commander for Area B from 2004-2005, and was the Department Commander from 2007-2008. Bruce also served as the Vice Chairman for the National Americanism Council.

In addition to the American Legion, Bruce was a member of the 40/8 and a Chef de Gare Passe of Voiture 1466. He was the Grand Americanism Director for the 40/8 and was a member of the Fountain Hills V.F.W Post 7507.

Bruce represented Post 58 as co-chairman on joint projects with the local V.F.W. to rename some streets in his community to “Veterans Memorial Parkway.” He worked diligently to facilitate the Town Council’s approval for a Veterans Memorial, which was placed in the Fountain Park, a project that took seven years for completion.

Bruce had a love of sailing, music and watching football. He and his wife shared their love of music by entertaining friends at events and parties with his company Remember Then disc jockey service. He was happiest when he was supporting the American troops and the various organizations that supported them. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was a very kind, gentle man.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Sandy, of 46 years; their daughter, Dawn Goodland and her husband, Kevin Goodland; their son, Mike Conklin, and his wife Tara, of Austin, Texas; and many other loving family and friends. He has a brother, Steve Conklin of San Tan Valley, and a sister, Kathy Maute of Palm Springs, Calif. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Ken Conklin and Sophie Goodland; two nieces, Shelly Niswonger and Dr. Dina Doolin; and three nephews, Craig Conklin, Sydney Griffin and Jack Walleman.

Funeral services will be held at the Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary, located at 12065 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. Friends are welcome to come one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Legion Post 58 for nursing scholarships and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Projects in memory of Bruce A. Conklin.