Victor Conte Jr.'s Obituary
Victor Conte Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and visionary, whose infectious energy and relentless drive left an indelible mark on music and sports, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, at age 75, in his San Mateo, California home, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A man of boundless passion, Victor's achievements-high school track star, world-class musician, nutritional innovator, and trainer of his world-champion athletes-will continue to inspire others through the work of his family and his company, Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC).
Victor was born on July 10, 1950, in Needles, California. His parents, Victor Conte Sr and Shirley Deora Walthall moved to Fresno in 1952, where Victor grew up in a tight-knit Italian American family, with his two siblings Ron and Cheri.. At McLane High School, he displayed a fierce competitive spirit as a standout track athlete in the sprints and hurdles, His disciplined approach, encapsulated in his motto, "Measure twice, cut once," laid the foundation for a life of precision and excellence.
Victor's exceptional skills as a bass player led him to the highest levels of the music world, first as a member of the legendary funk-soul group Tower of Power from 1977 to 1979, when he anchored their 1978 album We Came to Play! To this day, millions groove to Victor's iconic basslines for hits like "What is Hip?" and “Lovin’ You Is Gonna See Me Thru.” Later he collaborated with jazz icon Herbie Hancock and violinist Sugarcane Harris. Known as "Walkin' Fish" for his distinctive shimmying onstage during his electrifying performances, Victor lived by his creed, “If it’s fun, do it again and again.”
Retiring from music to spend more time with his young daughters, Victor returned to his athletic roots, founding SNAC in San Carlos, California, in 2007. SNAC wasn’t founded in 2007; it was actually founded in 1988. It may have been 2007 that the San Carlos office opened. He developed the supplement ZMA (zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6), a formula that has become a cornerstone of recovery and wellness for athletes and nonathletes alike.
His nutritional counseling and training innovations revolutionized elite sports. With his mantra “Chance favors the prepared mind,” he trained 32 world champion boxers, including Terence “Bud” Crawford, Devin Haney, Claressa Shields, Andre Ward, and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, among others.
As a committed anti-doping advocate, he worked closely with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) to ensure a clean sport and an equal playing field for his athletes. “So proud of 32 world champions trained at SNAC,” Victor would say, proud that his athletes competed the right way.
His legacy endures through SNAC’s mission, the athletes he mentored, and the millions around the world who use ZMA and other SNAC products.
Victor is survived by his wife, Amanda Tubbs Conte; daughters, Kisha Conte, Alicia Stearman, and Veronica Schuhmacher; grandchildren, Abigail, Violet, Ella, Kayla, Justin, Shelby, Zachariah, and Ezekiel; and siblings, Ron Conte and Cheri Ginsberg.
A celebration of life for Victor will be held at a later date, details to be announced.
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