Leigh E Conver

Dr. Conver was born September 19, 1947, in Ridley Park, PA, the first child to Charles and Marion Conver. He graduated from Wheaton High School in Wheaton, MD. He continued his education and earned a BA in Mathematics at Eastern Baptist College in St. Davids, PA, and later pursued graduate studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. There he earned a Master of Divinity, the Master of Theology, and a Ph.D. in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Counseling. While a student in Louisville, Leigh met and married his life’s partner and perfect match, Linda Frances Rutherford. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June of 2021.

Reverend Conver was baptized in April of 1957, and later ordained in April of 1973 at the church where he was raised, the First Baptist Church of Wheaton, MD. He was a certified chaplain and licensed counselor, and served in a variety of capacities in local churches, hospitals, and counseling centers in Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, and Kentucky. For a number of years, Dr. Conver taught at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, including being honored with The Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Endowed Professorship in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Counseling from April 1997 to July 2006. In his later years, Dr. Conver was a professor in the Counseling program of the Carver School of Social Work of Campbellsville University, KY.

Dr. Conver loved music. He began his ministerial career as a Music Minister and pianist. He also sang in numerous choirs, most recently being the choir at Melbourne Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. He enjoyed fishing, especially with his counseling colleagues. He reveled in card and board games with his siblings and children. He adored his family, and time spent on vacations in North Carolina and Florida with them was invaluable.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; two brothers, Lynn (Jeannette) Conver, and Chris (Niki) Conver; two brother-in-laws, Stan (Pat) Rutherford, and David (Wanda) Rutherford; three children, Sam (Mary) Conver, Jon Conver, and Leslie (Bob) Brockelsby; four grandchildren, Thomas, Grace, David, and Matthew; and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, and two nephews.

Dr. Conver will be laid to rest in Cave Hill Cemetery. A memorial service to celebrate his life will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Crescent Hill Baptist Church (2800 Frankfort Avenue) with a time of fellowship immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hosparus of Louisville.