Robert Glen Conley

Bob Conley, 90, of Pocatello, ID, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at his home in Pocatello. Bob was born on November 26, 1934, to the late Frank and Ora Conley. In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his brother, Richard. Bob married Lora Lee Robinson in 1956 and they had two children: Susan Hendrixson (spouse Jim), Osburn, Idaho, and Scott Conley (spouse Janis), Hayden, Idaho. He remarried Jean Ann Olsen in 1966 and Jean passed away in 2017. They were married for 51 years.

Bob started his career as a sprinter at Pocatello High School. He then attended ISU where he ran for legendary coach Dubbie Holt and earned his degree in education.

Bob ran track as a sprinter for ISU from 1952 – 1956. He set numerous meet and stadium records during his time at ISU. His best performance came in 1956 where at the University of California, Davis, he won both sprints and set an ISU 220 -yard dash record of 21.3 seconds that stood for years, and he won both sprints in ISU’s first ever dual meet with the University of Utah. He also won both sprints in the Rocky Mountain Conference 1954 championships, and he led off two different mile relay teams that held the school record of 3 minutes, 26.0 seconds. Bob was inducted into the Idaho State University Hall of Fame on February 28, 1987.

Bob’s college track experience led to his decision to go into education. Bob became an English teacher at Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho and he accepted the cross-country head coaching job in 1965. The Rams boys won 5A state cross country championships 9 out of 10 years from 1981 to 1990. The Highland girls won state in 1983 and 1987. The girls also earned a 3rd place national ranking in 1983, and 6th place in 1982, and ranked 10th twice. In 1984, Highland was named national cross-country champions. Bob was Region 7 Coach of the year and in 1986 and 1989 was a finalist for National Cross-Country Coach of the year. His program was very structured, and he had a calm and tolerant demeanor. Bob retired after the 1990 season – 25 years after becoming the Ram’s coach. The Highland Invitational was renamed the Bob Conley Invitational and is held annually in October in his honor. His record as a coach was legendary and he will leave a legacy that will last for generations.

Special thanks and love to Kristina Perkes and her family, and to Bob’s lovely girlfriend, Juanita Bailey. He loved the walks, the lunches at Olivers Restaurant, times together in St. George, and just spending time with you. A private family celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a later date. He will be buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob Conley may be made to Highland High School – Bob Conley Invitational.