Ernest Ernie Conway, 92, of Sturgis, passed away Monday, February 23, 2009 at his home.

With the passing of our father, grandfather, and great grandfather, we lose a man of many stories and a varied past. He was born in New York to immigrant parents and grew up in the city of Chicago. He and his two brothers knew the streets and parks of their neighborhood and frequented poolrooms where stories of gangsters and Al Capone were shared. He skipped school to study the Sporting News so he could stay on top of all aspects of baseball. He would sneak into Wrigley Field to see his favorite White Sox play. He grew up in the ballroom dance era and loved the music of Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, and Glenn Miller.

After high school he was the first in his precinct to voluntarily join the army. In the process of shipping the Third Infantry (1941) to another location, he was mistakenly dropped off at Fort Meade, South Dakota, instead of Fort Meade, Maryland. His introduction to the barren streets of Sturgis, upon getting off the train, was an overwhelming shock compared to the streets of Chicago that he left behind. The troops erroneously left in South Dakota were switched from Infantry to Calvary. Here was a city boy forced to ride a horse and parade and jump hurdles on the grounds of Fort Meade. A military duty that left him with a trophy broken collarbone that never healed evenly.

After the army Mr. Conway eventually went to work at the Fort Meade VA Hospital for 34 years. There he held the job of Chief of Finance. His transformation from city boy to country boy was achieved as he learned to garden, hunt, and fish with proficiency. He mastered the art of fly fishing and even tied his own fishing flies, and taught classes to others.

He and his predeceased wife, Nell, were married for 62 years, a marriage many said would not last. He and Nell had two daughters, Pam and Marcia. At his passing the family had grown to six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He took all of his grandchildren, except for one away in the military, on family cruises and was very generous in all his gifts.

He will miss his love of baseball (analyzing and betting), growing his onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Friday nights out with the grandson, and having coffee on the deck in the morning sun. He will miss his family visits (much more enjoyed as he aged), and the love of his two daughters.

A stray cat adopted Dads porch for its home and became dads outside companion. This cat will need a new home if anyone is interested. Memorial donations will go to the Sturgis Animal Shelter. Please send cards C/O Pam Kennedy 1321 Davenport St Sturgis, SD 57785.

Ernie is survived by two daughters; Pam Kennedy and her husband David of Sturgis, and Marcia Plambeck and her husband Joe of Rapid City. There are six grandchildren: Paula Beran and Kelly Barnes of Casper, WY, Kristi Shulz of Piedmont, Chad and Vicky Plambeck of Rapid City, and Brad Plambeck, currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Seven great-grandchildren also brought Ernie much joy: Trevor Plambeck, Hallie and Heidi Schulz, Bryn and Branten Barnes, and Hanna and Zachary Beren.