On February 8, 2023, Conrad B. Divis, beloved husband, brother and father, surrounded by his family, passed away in San Diego, California after a valiant battle with esophageal cancer. He was 69 years old. His father and mother were Edward and Ruth Divis of Bayport. While stationed in Japan, he met the love of his life, Michiko Hashimoto, whom he married in a beautiful ceremony on Fire Island in 1980. They had one daughter, Victoria, who he loved very much. At his death, he was an active member of Harbor Church San Diego.
After graduating from Bayport High School in 1971, he matriculated at Pacific University in Oregon and in 1975 graduated with a Bachelor of Science. During his college years, he served his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Also in 1975, he enrolled in the Naval Officer Candidate School, and upon completion was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy, entering the Surface Warfare community. He served in the Navy for 30 years, attaining the rank of Captain.
As a naval officer, Conrad had many assignments. As a Surface Warfare Officer, he had shipboard experience on frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and various afloat logistics ships. During the Persian Gulf War Conrad served aboard the USS Mars, as the Executive Officer. His first command was aboard the USS Willamette from 1993-1994. Thereafter, he served as the Commodore of the Military Prepositioning Ship Squadron 3 with tactical control over a fleet of ships carrying afloat prepositioned military cargo. Conrad’s various assignments and missions in the Navy brought him to every continent on the planet except Antarctica. He brought home unique souvenirs to Michiko and Victoria to help tell stories of his wide travels. He would be sure to bring Victoria a coin from each country he visited for her coin collection which now has currency from over 50 nations.
In the spring of 2005, Commodore Divis commanded the USNS Mercy, a hospital ship, which provided disaster relief to Indonesians, after a tsunami had devastated the island of Sumatra. Conrad considered the Mercy assignment a highlight of his career as he was able to provide humanitarian relief to those in need. Finally, on Saipan, on June 28, 2005, Conrad escorted Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the American Memorial Park, during a historic first visit by the royal family of Japan to commemorate those lost in World War II.
After retiring from the Navy in 2005, Conrad joined Ambyth, a maritime logistics company, allowing him to continue the work he loved. He was with Ambyth for over 16 years and retired in January 2023, shortly before his death.
Conrad was an avid reader and a history buff - he could describe in nuanced detail the great battles of the Civil War and World War II. He also loved to cook and to spend time planning menus for weekly Sunday dinners with his family. He enjoyed reading to his grandsons, discussing books in common with his daughter and son-in-law, taking walks with Michiko along the California coast, watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and teaching his two grandsons about the green flash phenomenon. He was known for his even-keeled stoicism, calm demeanor and steadfast loyalty to his country and those he loved.
Conrad is survived by his wife Michiko, daughter Victoria and son-in-law Lucas McDonald, his grandsons Stevenson and Nathaniel, his brother Gary Divis and wife Catherine Divis, and sister Leslie Ann Divis Wallace, and her husband John Wallace. A Burial and Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, June 16, 2023, at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California with further details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation at https://pcrf-kids.org.
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