Dr. Robert E. Conrad, 69 of Carpentersville, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 in Chicago from injuries received in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago.
He was born September 2, 1944 in Fremont, Nebraska the son of Yager and Edna (Anderson) Conrad. He enlisted in the United States Navy at an age and served in Vietnam as a member of the HC7 Helicopter Squadron known as “Aardvarks”. He was career military and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1982. He then continued his education and received his Masters and later Doctorate at National Louis University. He was united in marriage to Karen A. Ottens on September 3, 1988 in Lake Tahoe. The couple made their home in Carpentersville, where he taught psychology as an Adjunct Professor for National Louis University and other Community Colleges in the area. He was a loving husband and father and a very good friend to many. He would describe himself as an Excellent Psychology Professor, a Harley Road King Rider, frequent vacation taker and a good ol boy.
He is survived by his wife, Karen and daughter, Kelly Conrad of Carpentersville, his sister, Elizabeth Fenstermaker of Ohio and his brother, Steve Conrad of Texas, a cousin Gail, aunts Kip & Jonie and his mother and father-in-law, Lois & Jim Sellergren of Arlington Heights. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial gathering will be held from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3rd with a Service of Remembrance at 4:30 p.m. at the Randall Oaks Golf Club, 4101 Binnie Road, West Dundee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Robert Conrad Family.
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Karen, Words cannot express the sadness we feel for your loss, the community has lost a good friend, Our prayers go out to you and Kelly. With Love, The Nelson Family
Karen and Kelly, We will always be there for you, you are family. You should have no doubt in that. We love you! Robert, You are so severely missed by me and so many. Our 14 years of friendship will be a part of me for life. I thank you for allowing me and the "Fab 5" to walk so intamately with you these past 45 days where your Will to live and conquer so many challenges so you could be back with your girls was truly amazing. "Keep fighting" as you so often whispered. So many precious moments I will treasure.Please know my friend, there are no losers in this journey as we know you are with Him and at peace. You were a true teacher to many right up until the end and beyond. You gained the respect,admiration and even tears to the many Doctors, RN's and staff who fought so hard for you as well.You are a truly an amazing man. You will live in on within our hearts and souls forever.
Karen and Kelly and all the people who loved Robert, I send my heartfelt condolences. Robert was a special man who touched many hearts and forged many friendships that made the lives of others richer. I will miss him terribly. I hope the knowledge that many thought your loved one was a very special person helps you focus on the happy memories and lightens your hearts just a little during this very sad time.
Karen and Kelly, Words are so hard. I have feelings of sadness that fill my heart. So unexpected and so not right. If he saw me out, walking, running, in the store, at the school, Robert always made it a point to say hello and strike up a conversation. I always liked that about him, and always brought a smile to my face. Take comfort by the outpouring of love surrounding you. You're in my heart and think of you often. Love, Becky
Dear family of Dr. Robert Conrad My deepest condolences to you all for the lose of Dr. Robert. Mrs. Karen and Ms. Kelly you are in my prayers. May the comforting Lord give you His Peace Respectfully Rev. John Bushi
My Condolences to the Conrad Family, I am a former student of Dr. Robert Conrad; he was one of my Greatest Mentors from National-Louis University and will continue to do so . It was an honor and I was very blessed to have the opportunity to learn from Prof. Conrad. He exemplify to us students as a positive role model, his life experiences (stories) with excellent teaching skills, characteristics and will be dearly missed. No words could express what his family is enduring, but he will always be remembered as that one of various teachers who truly cared about his students. My utmost respects, thoughts and prayers go out to his beloved Wife, Daughter and Family. God bless ..
To the Conrad Family: Please accept my condolences and thoughts of comfort toward you. I had Dr. Conrad in Spring and requested his speech class this semester. I loved his tales of his times in the military, his travels and his discussions with his daughter. While, I can only imagine this is a difficult time, I hope you are comforted by the memories of a great man. God bless
Dear Conrad family, Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear loved one. It seems no greater sadness is felt than when someone so dear to us is loss. May you find comfort in your memories and draw strength from a promise God has provided which gives the hope of someday being reunited with your beloved Robert (John 5:28,29). This promised future is one that will be filled with great joy because it will include perfect health and everlasting life on a paradise earth where "the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4, Psalms 37:29). May you during this most difficult time find some comfort in knowing that God does care and He does hear our cries. Please accept my most sincere condolences.