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Kurt Conrad, 70, passed away peacefully Monday, November 21, 2022, at Soin Hospital after an 8-month battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sigfried and Betty Conrad, and his sister-in-law, Liz Conrad.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Debbie, (who for the last 8 months was labeled “Best Caregiver Ever” by Kurt); brother, Rick (FHS-72) Conrad; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rick and Debbie Hollingshead; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jo and Kevin Fitzharris; as well as nieces and nephews.
Kurt graduated from Fairborn High School and attended Miami University and Wright State University. He held many jobs over the years, including machinist, office worker, hotel maintenance man, and his “dream come true job” of working at a hardware store: Handyman Ace Hardware. While working there, he shared his gifts of being able to repair almost anything and being a master at yard work! He helped many elderly people stay in their homes, because he was so giving, concerned, and conscientious about taking care of things for them as they aged.
An avid reader, Kurt owned hundreds of books (and had actually read every one of them, many multiple times). He was the most resourceful person I have ever known and could come up with a solution to nearly every problem.
He was extremely kindhearted, honest to a fault, and very giving. Once in a group of people talking about what they would do with lottery winnings (Bengals season tickets, sports cars), Kurt’s response was “I could do work for people, and I wouldn’t have to charge them.” But…he was not at all a social kind of guy. When the pandemic struck, he commented, “I’ve been training for this my entire life,” as he enjoyed just staying at home, reading, doing odd jobs around the house, cooking “experimentally,” and watching movies.
He was super smart in every way, including common sense. He was interested in nearly everything and extremely knowledgeable. He could really shine when “Trivial Pursuit” was all the rage. He had a soft spot in his heart for the many cats that he was forced to cohabitate with over the years, and our current cats miss him already. He loved to watch sports—Bengals, Reds, UD basketball, University of Michigan football.
In his final days, when the end was near, in a typical Kurt kind of fashion, he said he needed to come up with his “final line.” He decided on, “I’m sailing off into the sunset.” Smooth sailing, Kurt.
Donations may be made in Kurt’s memory to the following: American Cancer Society 4540 Cooper Road Blue Ash, OH 45242 800.227.2345 cancer.org
SERVICE: TBA Celebration of Life
Condolences: beltonstroup.
ARRANGEMENTS: Belton-Stroup Funeral Home 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road Fairborn, OH 45324 937.879.0800
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John Connell
Fly amongst the stars, my friend. You were an awesome individual although in mine eyes a bit misunderstood by some folks! They had no idea of your awesome thoughts etc
Peace and be with our Creator forever! <3
Joy Phillips (Watson)
To Debbie and to Kurt's family and many friends, my deepest sympathies. I am heartbroken. Few in this world meant as much to me.
Jenny Cantrell (Hamilton)
I am so sorry for you and your families loss as well as the city of FAIRBORN. I too graduated from the class of 1970 but I really didn't know Kurt very well if at all. His face is very familiar to me, but I was always the shy one. Debbie if you are the one that wrote this article on him you did an absolutely beautiful job! It makes me feel like I knew him and that I will miss him. Miss his kindness to all people, everyone to cats and his love for reading. You and your family will certainly be in my prayers. Seems like the class of 1970 is leaving us one by one. 😢🙏🏻❤️
Andrea Bakanauskas (Wilkes)
Please accept my sincere condolences. I know there are no words that can ease your pain but I hope this recollection will make you smile a little. I met Kurt in Miss Denlinger's third grade class at Central. We sat in the back as we were tall. Kurt was not a talker in class, but Miss Denlinger noticed that we whispered during math. She took him aside quietly and interrogated him about the whispering. I course she thought it was my fault and it was. I could not tell the difference between 3 and 5 on the blackboard. He would tell me when I asked him. Turns out I needed glasses and that was the end of the whispering. He was helpful even then.
We exchanged class pictures back then and on the back of his he wrote "Quiters never win and winners never quit." That was pretty profound for a 9 year old kid I never forgot it And he was right . What a guy.
Sherman Patrick
Such a loss. Kurt was one of my best friends. I could talk to him about anything. He didn't judge. I lost touch with him and too many others. We were and still are a very close group of graduates. I send my prathers for the family, Heaven is rejoicing! We are sad, but looking forward to seeing him again. Godspeed my friend.
Sherm