Henry K. “Van” McConnon, 87, died on November 8.

Born in Winona, MN, he serving in the military in Germany during WWII. He subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, graduated from the University of Minnesota, and helped organize hospital workers in Pennsylvania.

In 1967, McConnon was one of five founders of Fastenal Company, managing its first store and helping establish its direct-sales approach.

“Our very first employee has passed away,” Fastenal stated.

“The year was 1967. After being turned down by at least 30 potential investors, Bob Kierlin reached out to some of his closest friends, including Van, to pool their savings and help start the business.

“There was just one problem: As Van put it, ‘I didn’t have two nickels to rub together.’

“So, he and Bob struck a deal. Van would help develop the vending machine prototype and oversee the business in Winona for a period of time in exchange for subsistence pay and shares of company stock.

“The original business plan was to create self-service stores lined with coin-operated vending machines. The company would own the stores and distribute the product, with no local labor required.

“However, they quickly learned that… the self-service model didn’t make sense in the real world. So, within just a few weeks of starting the business, they decided to pull the plug on the vending concept and try another approach.”

Kierlin suggested McConnon make sales calls and sell some nuts and bolts, but “I didn’t know anything about nuts and bolts,” McConnon later explained.

Kierlin’s advice was simple.

“Just ask the customer questions, and they’ll tell you everything you need to know. They love to talk about their business.”

With that, McConnon drove his salvaged 1959 Coupe de Ville (Fastenal’s first delivery vehicle) and began knocking on doors. 

The rest is fastener industry history.

McConnon served on Fastenal’s board of directors from 1968 to 2009. 

He spent summers sailing on Chautauqua Lake. McConnon also contributed to charitable causes, including The Carter Center.

He is survived by daughter Tara Gerber and son Kenevan McConnon; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Buchholtz McConnon.

Memorial donations can be made to a local veterans organization of choice or to the Jimmy Carter Foundation’s Global Health Programs.