Rebecca Conn

CONN, REBECCA L., native Louisvillian, philanthropist, devoted University of Louisville Cardinal fan, and loving wife, mother and grandmother, died peacefully on November 26, 2023, at age 82 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Born to loving parents Ray and Sylvia Logsdon, Rebecca was a proud graduate of Louisville Male High School, earning distinction as the class of 1959 salutatorian and cheerleading captain. A person of exceptional moral bearing and intellect, she is remembered for her humility, warmth, kindness and loyalty. Her virtue inspired high school sweetheart Henry P. “Hank” Conn (b. 1941 - d. 2023) and the two wed in 1961, their grand love affair blossoming over a brilliant 62-year friendship. She was further blessed by charismatic daughter Leigh Ann (b. 1962 - d. 2011) and riotously hilarious son Phillip (b. 1969), who thrived under her clever mothering mentorship. In addition to Phil, Rebecca is survived by immensely talented grandchildren Justin and Kristina, who both had their greatest fan in their grandmother. Dear friends and family are comforted knowing that their sweet friend is finally at peace, having rejoined the love of her life in Hank and kindred spirit in Leigh Ann.

Rebecca is also graciously remembered for her penetrating vision, nose for nonsense, and magnanimous guidance, which were all essential in Hank’s storied career and success as well as in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Fondly, Rebecca’s endearing humor and quiet brilliance captained the family over dynamic waters, as her understanding and kindhearted support became the protective glue that binds. Her passion for sports never waned, especially as an avid tennis player herself and ardent supporter of Leigh Ann and Phil, then Justin and Kristina. Even in times endearing of a competitive household, Mrs. Conn remained deeply fierce but centered in elegance. Stoically celebratory, she cheered every win, mourned every loss, yet always sought to elevate. As often humbly expressed by Hank, “Truly, she tolerates our mediocrity. Beck is the best of us.”

Rebecca and Hank pledged $20 million to the University of Louisville in 2009 to create the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, which advances energy innovations to commercial readiness. As the largest pledge at the time, it allowed the university to meet the Commonwealth’s aspiration for a center of excellence on renewable energy research as well as a systemic change in the culture for successful entrepreneurship in Louisville and the Commonwealth. The center’s incredible impact is the creation of the largest non-medical research center at the university and convergence of emanant scholars as faculty and theme leaders for research innovation and entrepreneurship. Conn Center’s energy tech scale-up hub – the Regional Energy Business, Education & Commercialization Convergence Accelerator (REBECCA) – is named in her honor.

The Conn’s generosity and purposeful benefaction inspired the formation of the Conn Legacy Society at UofL in 2011. The society was established to create an ecosystem around planned giving that forms a legacy at the university. The benefaction of this group makes significant impact on excellence in research, student support, and community engagement for generations to come.

In 2012, Rebecca and Hank established the Leigh Ann Conn Prize for Renewable Energy at UofL in honor of their daughter. The biennial award is the only prize of its kind that recognizes outstanding renewable energy innovation coupled with commercialization having clear global impact. It honors excellence and aligns the University of Louisville with aggressive goals for efficacy and performance of renewables and efficiency technologies.

The Rebecca Fund, founded in 2022 at Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort, KY, honors Rebecca’s legacy of generosity and great love of nature and the arts. In addition, her gifts have also benefitted so many in need through the United Service Organization and Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Toys for Tots, Make a Wish Foundation, and Feeding America.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy in the form of donations to the Rebecca Fund at Josephine Sculpture Park, to the Leigh Ann Conn Prize Fund at the University of Louisville, or through the charity of your choice.

Rebecca Fund at Josephine Sculpture Park - https://www.josephinesculpturepark.org/endowment

Leigh Ann Conn Prize Fund at the University of Louisville - http://give.louisville.edu/conn