Dr. Conrad "Val" Valentino Wynne Jr.

Candler- Conrad Valentino “Val” Wynne, Jr., MD died at age 66 from metastatic mesothelioma January 19, 2020 at CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville, N.C.

Val leaves his wife and soul mate Regina Bland, MD; his mother, Jeanne Steinbrenner Wynne; two brothers, Christopher Wynne with wife Cathy, and James R. Wynne with partner Gloria Carroll; a sister, Jeanne Wynne Harrison with husband Steve; two sisters-in-law, Alice Wilson, and Debra Engholm with husband David; four nieces, two nephews and their families; cousins (who were like siblings) and their families. He also leaves friends who became like family, especially J. Barry Lewis, and Josè Rodríguez-Currás; as well as his new Asheville Sunday Supper neighbor group, other close friends, and his beloved pets and therapy dogs,  Stella and Nino.

Val was a pediatrician in Roanoke, VA from 1981-1988 and then in West Palm Beach, FL from 1989-2014. He was an astute clinician, and a caring physician and boss putting the care of patients and staff first. He retired to Candler, NC in 2014 where he became an avid gardener and small farmer on his beloved “La Podere”.

He was a caring man volunteering many hours and giving of time and goods to the Palm Beach County Home in West Palm Beach. He later volunteered in Asheville through OLLI at Manna Food Bank and the Veteran’s Restoration Quarters. 

Val was a man who loved new ventures. He loved traveling to Italy and became a dual citizen in 2013. He loved Regina’s Italian family as his own.

He loved learning things and taught himself hobbies such as beekeeping, woodworking, gardening, raising chickens, infusing of liquors, curing meats, learning the Italian language, and authentic pizza making. He was passionate about life and about sharing his goods and knowledge.

He loved to be a host for family in Florida and North Carolina. He loved to gather people and have a good time. He was able to connect and care about everyone across all walks of life.

Val and Regina found out about Val’s illness on January 9, 2019 on their 30th wedding anniversary. As with all things, Val tried to get well with all his might—undergoing chemotherapy, radical surgery, a myriad of treatments for pain relief. While the treatments proved unsuccessful, Val touched the lives of multitudes of caregivers and gained new friends along the way.  He shared his illness and dying as he did his life—allowing all to participate.

Val’s death leaves me heartbroken with our future retirement dreams shattered. But he told me on his deathbed that “Our love was forever, that there is only love, and that nothing could separate our love for each other.” After a bit of grieving, I plan to get back to “our work” of caring for and about folks.

To honor Val's request, no formal services will be held.

Donations in his memory can be made to CaringBridge; Arts for Life—a nonprofit which supports art opportunities to children in N.C. in hospital and clinic settings; Solace Hospice Center in Asheville; or a charity of your choosing.

“There is only love”
-Val January 16, 2020