Richard ‘Dick’ Downing Conway
May 1, 1933-April 26, 2022
Richard “Dick” Downing Conway, 88, of Indianapolis passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
He was born Monday, May 1, 1933, at Terre Haute, the son of Frank J. and Mary K. Conway.
He is survived by his wife, Eva Ann (Dietrich) Conway and his children, Richard “Rick” Conway (Lisa) of Indianapolis, John Conway of Indianapolis, Michael “Mike” Conway (Gigi) of Fishers, Kathryn “Kathy” Crone (Garry) of Zionsville, Jay Conway (Carla) of Speedway, Joseph “Joe” Conway (Kathy) of Indianapolis, Mark Conway (Deena) of Brownsburg; sister Mary Margaret “Peggy” Conway; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Dick graduated from Crawfordsville High School in 1951 and from Purdue University in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree. While at Purdue he met his wife and they began their family. He served two years in the United States Army, where he made lifelong friends. He began his teaching career in 1957. He taught and coached in Randolph, Wayne, and Union Counties. In 1964, he earned his master’s degree at Ball State University.
His last 22 teaching years were at Warren Central High School in Marion County, where he taught various math courses and also coached cross country and track. Dick was instrumental in building the Warren Central girls’ sports program as the girls’ athletic director before retiring from teaching and coaching in 1988. In 1993, he and his son Jay started AUS Embroidery, now operated by Jay.
Coach Conway’s dedication to teaching and to sports impacted the lives of many students, athletes and families throughout the community. He volunteered as a Little League baseball coach and was a high school basketball coach in Liberty. He also established a multi-generational Fun Run in Warren Township.
As a devoted, loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather, Dick found great joy in spending time with his family. His greatest achievement was helping and supporting many young people on their life journey. The motto he lived by and leaves as his legacy is “PMA,” which stands for “Positive Mental Attitude.”
Family and friends gathered 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1 for a viewing with a memorial service immediately following at Flanner Buchanan - Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington St., Indianapolis.
