Former Guam Federation of Teachers president Conrad Stinson — a defining figure in Guam’s education labor movement — has died at 94 in Indiana.

Stinson, a JFK social studies and driver’s ed teacher, joined the union board in 1969 and became president the next year. He helped forge the first board-union contract under Public Law 9-240 with a strong negotiating team that included Robert Klitzkie, Bob Hartsock and Robert Coble.

He then built the union’s foundation — from Saturday steward trainings to strict, by-the-book grievance work. Though known for his folksy Hoosier charm — even nicknamed “Cornbread” — Stinson was a tough political negotiator, famously sketching the $5,440 GovGuam pay raise on a napkin at the Take Five Café.  

Stinson was close to former governor Joe Ada, served on the retirement board, and later became deputy director of education under Franklin Quitugua.

He longed to visit Guam again but never made it back, keeping up with island news through his family. His funeral will be held Friday near his Oakland City College alma mater in Indiana.