Robin "Dana" Bates

Robin Dana Bates (nee Conklin) was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 10, 1961, to Ronald and Roberta Conklin. Dana was the third of four children, Debra Adelle (sister), Ronald Duane and David Alden (brothers).

She lived in the Phoenix area her whole life and graduated from Paradise Valley High School in 1979. Some years after high school, Dana went to work for Honeywell, working there for nearly 30 years in the aerospace division. This is where she met her future husband, David Bates. Dana and Dave were married on February 28, 1991, and remained committed to one another for 28 years until Dave died in 2019.

Dana enjoyed an active lifestyle; horses, camping, softball, sports cars, 4x4 trucks (most of which were maroon), golf and bowling. Dana’s love for horses carried through her whole life, barrel racing and pleasure riding. She also was elected queen of Paradise Valley saddle club twice, and spent some time working for a family that rented horses for trail rides. Softball was another passion, playing both in high school and several adult leagues. Her love for outdoor activities continued later in life, including taking up golf with her husband Dave. She also loved spending time with family; hers here in Arizona or Dave’s in Ohio, but especially her 2 grandchildren.

Dana entered eternal life on October 9, 2026, after a 17 year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Dana was preceded in death by her parents, Ron and Roberta, her sister Debra, brother Ron and husband David.

Dana is survived by her stepdaughter Suzanne, her grandchildren, Arianna and Jakub, brother David (Laurie), nephew Tyler, nieces Amber, Aubree and Katelyn and 4 great nieces and nephews.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3