Robert Michael Conlee, “Michael or Mike” (as his friends knew him), 74, died in North Carolina from myelocytic leukemia on Friday September 3, 2021. He was diagnosed 28 days prior. Michael was born to Jacqueline and Robert Conlee in Dallas, Texas, on March 13, 1947.
He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, in Dallas, Texas, in 1965. He then attended North Texas State University (now known as The University of North Texas). He graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor in Science in Industrial Arts Education. He was a member of the Fraternity Kappa Sigma. He continued his education with North Texas State University by starting a graduate program in 1974 and obtaining a Master of Science (Industrial Arts) degree in 1979. His thesis was on, “How to Build a Log Cabin by the Post-and-beam Method.” His thesis was based on the actual construction of a log cabin in the Ward, Colorado, region in “Chipmunk Gulch.”
During undergraduate school, Michael married his high school sweetheart, Caroline Hogue, also from Dallas, Texas. The two, both specializing in education, pursued educational opportunities together. Michael worked for The Salesmanship Club of Dallas, a residential program for boys with significant emotional and behavioral challenges while Caroline was a teacher of children with similar issues. They took groups of her students on 26 day therapeutic wilderness trips that included ropes courses, camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and peak ascents. Michael had a big heart, and was well loved by all the kids he helped.
Michael moved to the Boulder, Colorado, area in 1975. He originally started as a handyman for hire and eventually made his way into public education. He taught Industrial Arts and History in the Boulder Valley School District from 1976 to 1987. He taught at Boulder High School and Broomfield High School.
In addition to the log cabin, he built a home in the Ward, Colorado, area on a property known as “Mud Lake.” This large home was an addition to a small existing cabin. It was also modeled on the log cabin type of structure. A very grand structure, it was. The property was remote and isolated with great mountain views. It had a long driveway and while working in BVSD, he would very often have to plow the drive in the early hours in order to get to work. He thrived in this rugged winter lifestyle, and was proud of his beautiful creation.
After leaving BVSD in 1987, he sold his “Mud Lake” home and ventured to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands with his second wife, Eli Roehl. They spent five years in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Michael continued utilizing his skills with remodeling and construction with their home on the island.
They ended up back in Colorado in the Ward area and finally on Twin Sisters Mountain on a property belonging to Eli Roehl’s family. Again, his building and remodeling skills were being used on some vintage homes on the property.
Michael, with the inspiration and help of his partner, Tina Klassen, pursued a license in real estate, and was a successful real estate agent working with several different agencies for many years in the Boulder, Colorado, region and Pueblo, Colorado. With his knowledge of building and construction, real estate was a good fit. He loved property, homes and was very personable. He took great pleasure in connecting the right client with the right home.
When he retired from real estate, he purchased and sold properties, and managed his own rentals in Boulder, Colorado, and later in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he moved to join his wife-to-be, Suzy. He thoroughly enjoyed living in San Miguel, enjoying the mild mountain climate, the culture, and natural beauty the area had to offer.
From there, he and Suzy moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, where they enjoyed a different mountain lifestyle with mild temperatures, lots of wildlife, the natural beauty and the conveniences of Hendersonville.
Michael was a true adventurer. He experienced many adventures as an avid outdoorsman, river runner, camper, boxer, hunter (which he gave up for his great love of animals), builder, traveler, educator, and lover of women. He lived in Texas, Colorado, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico and North Carolina.
Michael had a great sense of humor and made people laugh. He told unforgettable stories of life experiences. Michael was a pleasure to know and enriched the lives of his friends. His friends have many humorous anecdotes and stories that could be shared for hours.
He is survived by his many friends, long term, and newly made, his brother, Jack Conlee, sister-in-law, Darien Conlee, and his wife, Suzy Conlee.
We will dearly miss Michael.
To share your thoughts, please email friendsofrmc2021@google.com.
