Obituary of Robert L. Conrad

The Reverend Doctor Robert (Bob) Conrad, 81, of Iowa City, died Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at his home. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, where visitation will begin at 12 noon and continue until services A memorial fund has been established in Bob's name to benefit The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed either to LSTC or to Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics c/o Lutheran Chaplaincy Outreach @ 123 E. Market Street, Iowa City, IA 52245 Bob was born March 11, 1931 in Junction City, Kansas to Adolf and Alvina Conrad (nee Beikmann). After attending Salina public schools, Bob studied at St. John's College, Winfield, Kansas, where he received a pre-seminary degree. Bob finished his seminary training at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, graduating with both a Master's of Divinity and a Master's of Sacred Theology. He also earned an M.A. in Education from Washington University and went on to complete a Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary. Bob married Mary Anne Brockhoff on June 26, 1955 in Fairview, Kansas. He was a loving husband and father who relished traveling, asking questions, and being with people. Bob's love of puns was legendary among his family and friends. Bob was a well-loved teacher. He was a professor of Christian Education both at Concordia Seminary and Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis and served as a professor of Educational Ministry and as Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Bob dedicated his life to helping pastors become better teachers. He stood for social justice as a matter of faith: he participated both in the March on Selma with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and in the St. Louis march following the death of Dr. King. He was also active on the Greater St. Louis Committee on Freedom of Residence. Bob advocated for greater church involvement in Scouting and helped develop PRAY: a church-sponsored merit badge program. Bob was a tireless servant of the church: he served as president of a congregation, led many adult education and outreach programs, and developed curriculum for Sunday schools. In his later years, Bob was also a regular volunteer at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, visiting stroke patients. Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Anne, and three children, Joy Conrad of Decorah, Iowa and her sons Noah and Benjamin (Klammer); Karin Conrad and her husband Heratch Ekmekjian of Boston, Massachusetts, and their daughter, Madeleine; and Christopher Conrad and his wife Pam Stek of Iowa City, and their daughters, Geneva and Georgia. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Bob's family and his arrangements.