Roy Merrill Conmey

CONMEY KIMBALL WOODFORD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 21:50:42

Woodbury County History 1984

Roy Merrill Conmey
By Frances Fymbo

Roy Merrill Conmey was born January 1, 1883 to John K and Ann Mary Kimball Conmey near Wyoming, Iowa. There he received his early education. He graduated form the University of Iowa Medical School in 1905. He served his internship in St Joseph’s Chospital in Sioux City, Iowa. In March 1906 he came to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, and took up his duties as a general practioner in rented rooms over Holman’s store. He had no heat, no stove, no furniture and thirteen dollars in his pocket. Apparently he was told that his services were not needed, but he persisted. He found an old stove with no legs which he proceeded to replace with bricks. An old cot that he slept, on at nights was used to sit his patients during office hours, and an orange-crate completed his office furniture. To know him is to hear the sense of dry humor in his voice as he recalled his early experiences in Sergeant Bluff. A café owner for whom Roy worked when he was attending the University, recalled him as the ‘homeliest, most awkward kid, but everybody loved him’.

Dr Conmey and Bell Woodford were united in marriage in 1907 and lived over the store while they planned and had constructed a combined home and office. In 1911, they moved into their new home. It occupied a quarter blocks. His office and garage were on the east side of the structure. The waiting room opened into the library which could be used if necessary. An inviting fire in the large fireplace, and the comfortable chairs often enticed patients to browse through his well-stocked book shelves while waiting their turns.

The young doctor had first rented a team and buggy to make his rounds. Then as his fame spread and his patients came from all the surrounding communities as well, he bought a car, a Buick. It was the first car in Sergeant Bluff. This car had carbide lights, no top, or windshield, and was with dry cells. It was the wonder of the community. Doctor told that at the Ed Weber funeral that year, after the home service, he was entrusted with taking the flowers to the cemetery, but mourners preferred to go in their own buggies. He commented knowingly that he had plenty of time to get the grave well-decorated before anyone else arrived at the cemetery.

Dr Conmey was elected the second may of Sergeant Bluff. The issue involved was whether or not the town wanted electricity. The poles were set and the town wired during his administration. Dr Conmey was the health officer of the town.

Dr and Mrs Conmey had one child, Frances, born August 10, 1912. She and a playmate often went along in the car with Doctor when he made his rounds. Frances graduated from the Sergeant Bluff high school in 1930. She continued her studies in Chicago, Illinois, wher she attended Bush Conservatory. There she studied dramatics. She took part in one of the first plays ever produced on television in Chicago, whe studied voice under Herbert Witherspoon, who was alter head of the New York City Opera Company. It was in Chicago that she met and married John Sheehan. They were the parents of four children: Conmey, Lawrence, Mary Bell and Margaret.

Conmey graduated from the Hollywood high school in Los Angeles City College for two years before he married Barbara Brody in 1952. He was inducted into the US Army in 1953 and served with a heavy artillery unit in Korea. He died October 13, 1982.

Mary Bell graduated from high school in Sergeant Bluff in 1956. She was killed in a car accident while returning after Christmas vacation to Iowa State University at Ames in 1957.

Lawrence was born December 30, 1935, and graduated from the Sergeant Bluff High School in 1953. He now lives in Gardena, California.

Margaret was born June 17, 1943 and lives in California.

Frances Conmey Sheehan now lives in Tujunga, California. Her husband is dead.

Mrs Bell Conmey was active in all phases of community work. She was on the school board, the only woman who was ever elected to that position, and also served as President of the board. She was active in church work and was Superintendent of the Sunday School. She worked to help get the Community Building built. She died October 21, 1961, in Sergeant Bluff.

When a new auditorium was added on to the high school (built in 1917 at 4th and C Street) in 1957, it was dedicated to him and called the R M Conmey Audition.

Doctor served this community unselfishly for 60 years (1906-1966). He retired then with a farewell Open House given by a grateful community. He had been honored with a reception and banquet in 1939, and was presented with a plaque in recognition of his thirty-three years of service. March 1, 1956 marked the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Dr R M Conmey in Sergeant Bluff. It was observed with a private dinner for a group of his med-contemporaries followed by a public reception.

Dr Conmey had been active in the Woodbury County Medical Society, a teacher in the old Sioux City Medical College and worked arduously for the betterment of his community. He was a member of Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge AF&AM, Sioux City, American Medical Association, Iowa Medical Society, Woodbury County Medical Society and the Adacemy of General Practice. He died November 5, 1971.