In memory of the Hon. Judge Conrad Cox
Longtime Community Foundation board member, the Honorable Judge Conrad L. Cox passed away peacefully in December, leaving a lasting imprint on all who knew him. Conrad joined the Foundation board in 2001 to the delight of the organization. “When Conrad agreed to join the board, we were so happy to have a person of his community stature and reputation join our young organization,” said
founding Executive Director Susanne Norgard. “We didn’t realize, however, the full extent of the contributions he would make. On the board he was a careful listener and showed respect for all people and all points of view. He was very perceptive.” In the weeks that followed his passing, a flood of fond memories arrived from the many board members who served during his tenure.
The Community Foundation was a young organization, in its eighth year, when Conrad agreed to bring his venerable spirit and skills to the board. “His intelligence, kindness, and forthright candor kept us on track as the Community Foundation grew financially to better serve the community of donors and organizations,” said Emeritus Board Member Claire Ellis. “Working with him during the years I was on the Foundation board, and during my Presidency, was truly a gift.” Indeed, when Conrad joined the Foundation had $1.5M in assets, by the time of his departure it had grown significantly to $15.7M. These years were a period of fortification for the organization, growing in esteem and stability, both qualities Conrad contributed to.
His time with the Foundation left an indelible mark on our founding Executive Director. “Conrad was such an important person to me throughout my tenure at the Community Foundation and afterwards as well. I personally appreciated the support he showed me and other members of the staff,” said Norgard. “He ‘watched out’ for me in countless ways and I trusted him as a friend and advisor. Conrad was one of a kind. I am so honored that I had the opportunity to work with him and to call him a friend.”
The staff felt this spirit of care he brought to his work. Conrad was on the board when I was hired in 2006, and was always a steadying force. In 2018 we celebrated our 25th anniversary, and we had the opportunity to interview Conrad on his memories about the organization. When asked how he came to join the Foundation, he said “I knew (founder) Bob Armanino, he was a friend, and he had been telling me about the organization. There was nothing like it in Mendocino County and I thought it was a great idea. So he took me to lunch with some very smart people, the deadly lunch (laughs), and I joined.” He continued. “I had never heard of a community foundation then, most of us hadn’t. But I think everybody was excited to find there were other people that had a similar view, and working together we could do something good. It was a very open minded group with the same general goal.”
It was in his final year on the board in 2013 that the Foundation acquired our new home on Oak Street and adopted the tag line “For GOOD. For HERE. For EVER.” These words seem fitting, not only to the organization, but to Conrad himself. He was such a “Steady, stable and thoughtful person,” said Emeritus Board Member Rudy Light. “He was a rock to the Foundation, and a guide to us all.” Even in spirit we know he came to us for good, he was dedicated to caring for here, and his contributions to the organization will remain with us forever.
Conrad did not want a public celebration of his life; in lieu of flowers he asked that donations be sent to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. If you feel inspired please consider making a contribution in his memory today.