The couple married in 1953.

They were married 70 years until Lee’s passing on July 31st, 2023.   

Dean, who was born in 1927 and raised in Casper, Wyoming, initially worked for the Denver Post where he met Lee in the 1950s. There, he achieved considerable success, being named Newspaper Photographer of the Year thrice. 

However, his life took a profound turn in 1959 when National Geographic came calling. 

He and Lee were in the midst of building a home in Arvada. Lee was expecting their first child, Eric. And they had just laid the foundation for their new house.

But the couple jumped at the opportunity. 

Lee later reflected on this pivotal moment, telling Robyn Conger:

“That’s not the kind of job you turn down.”

The couple eventually purchased a home in Bethesda, Maryland outside of Washington D.C. where they raised three sons. 

After 30 years with National Geographic, he retired on September 1, 1989. Dean and Lee moved to Durango, Colorado where they built a southwest-style home, hiked, and skied.

In 2012 they moved to Bend, Oregon to enjoy their sunset years, and in 2022 they moved to The Dalles, Oregon, to be closer to family.

Kurt said his father never looked back, noting life was too interesting and inspiring to have regrets.

At the end of his life, Dean Conger was focused on one thing – reuniting with his beloved wife who had passed just five weeks earlier. 

“I’m on a final assignment to go find her,” he said in the days before his death. 

Dean is survived by his three sons – Eric, Kurt, and Chris; three grandchildren – Joel, JR, and Jenney; and great-granddaughter Serena. His legacy lives on not only through his incredible body of work but also through the love and memories shared by his family and those who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be dearly missed, and his contributions to the world of photography will forever be cherished.