John Patrick Conway

CONWAY, John Patrick (Age 88) John passed away July 26, 2013 in Spokane, WA. John Conway was born, along with his twin brother Robert, on November 19, 1924 in San Francisco, CA to William Conway and Eva Weeks. He was a resident of Spokane for the last 47 years. After serving with the US Army Engineers, John graduated from the University of California in 1947 with a degree in mining engineering. John worked in the mining industry, both in the private sector and government service, until his retirement in 1990. His career started in 1947 with the Miami Copper Co in Globe, AZ where he worked as a production mining engineer until 1953. While in Globe, John married Lila Rusch and their daughter, Patrice, was born in 1950. Typical of the mining industry at the time, John spent the next three years exploring for uranium in Wyoming and the Colorado Plateau based out of Laramie and Grand Junction. While in Grand Junction, Lila gave birth to their second child, John Robert Conway. John moved to the Northwest in 1954 to run Ideal Cement's limestone quarry operations in Northport WA until 1963. While in Northport, John and his family loved living the rural lifestyle taking advantage of the skiing, hunting, fishing and other outdoor opportunities. The family moved again in 1964 to Tigard, OR while John worked as survey party chief for the Bonneville Power Administration until 1965. In 1966, John joined the US Bureau of Mines at the Spokane Mining Research Center where he remained until his retirement. John enjoyed a fruitful and personally rewarding career with the Bureau of Mines. He was project leader for rock bolt support design which led to development and patent of an innovative controlled yielding rock bolt in 1976. He was also a key member of a research team investigating the feasibility of mining deep ore deposits using in situ mining technology as well as authoring many technical publications. He was a true team player and always remained a strong advocate for the mining industry. In his retirement years John traveled extensively. He was especially fond of going to Alaska to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren, and salmon fishing with his son Johnny on the Washington coast. He developed a passion for golf and he was keen on deciphering the Conway genealogy. We remember John as being a quiet but strong man of deep and loyal convictions, kind, and gentle. He was always reaching out to remain connected with all of his family and friends. John is preceded in death by his beloved wife Lila, his son Johnny, his twin brother Robert and other siblings, Betty and William. He is survived by his daughter Patrice Bressler of Anchorage, AK; grandson, Errol Bressler of Anchorage, AK; daughter, Ailene Muhlhauser of Westminster, MD; and his dear friend and companion, Fern Rigney of Spokane.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are made to the Northwood Presbyterian Church.