Conant Wait, Jr.

Conant Wait, Jr., passed away on January 11, 2012, at Midland Hospice Care. He was born on August 17, 1921, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Conant Wait, Sr. and Frances Nash Wait. He was raised in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Harvard Military Academy in 1938. From 1938 to 1941, he worked for the Union Bank in L.A. and from 1942 to 1944, worked for Lockheed Aircraft Overseas Corporation at the first American Air Force Base in the United Kingdom at Langford Lodge near Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in London through the summer of 1944 before being accepted into the US Navy V-12 officer candidate program. As a V-12 cadet, he attended Washburn University and the University of Kansas, graduating from Washburn with a BA in 1947 and a JD in 1949. He served as an inactive US Navy reserve officer from 1947 to 1960.

Conant worked for the Kaw Valley Bank from 1947 through 1976, retiring as Executive Vice President, but remained active as a director, serving over 61 years. From 1977 to 1980, he served as executive director of the Kansas Independent Bankers Association. From 1982 to 1985, he served as President of the Citizens State Bank in Osage City. From 1977 to 1999, he practiced law in Topeka, limited to probate and estate work.

Conant has been an active member of the Topeka Salvation Army advisory board, serving more than 55 years. He served on the Topeka/Shawnee County Planning Commission in the 1950's and again in the 1960's and 70's.

Conant was an active philatelist (stamp collector) for over 70 years. He enjoyed golf and coaching little league baseball and flag football for many years. He was a member of the Saturday Night Literary Club, MENSA, Society of the Cincinnati, and the Sons of the American Revolution.

Conant is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret (Mickie) Logan Wait, of the home; one son, Thomas Wait; two grandsons, Gavin Wait and Logan Wait, all of Herndon, Virginia; and sister, Betsy Cox, of Long Beach, California. He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Wait.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2012, at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 599, Topeka, Kansas 66601 or Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606.