Robert L. Dr. Conrad

Robert L. Conrad, M.D. Beloved Surgeon, Dies Dr. Robert L. Conrad, general surgeon at South County Hospital For 35 years, died on August 11 at home. Born in Providence, RI, July 2, 1932, a son of the late E. Victor Conrad, M.D. and Ruth (Donahay), Dr. Conrad graduated from Moses Brown, Brown University, and Boston University School of Medicine class of 1960. He served his internship at Rhode Island Hospital, residency at Maine Medical Center and began practice at South County Hospital in 1965. One of the first specialists to arrive in Wakefield, Dr. Conrad began by treating anything from colds, gall bladders to broken bones and head injuries, often working round the clock, giving his patients the best care possible. He would make house calls with his kids in tow, and would trade medical services for bartered produce, seafood, mechanical and construction work, even boats for charter---making lifetime friends. Residing in his Narragansett family home of 75 years on Salt Pond, Dr. Conrad is survived by his wife, Martha, son Robert L. Conrad, Jr. (Suze Edwards) of VT, daughters, Susan Johnson (Kevin), Casey Conrad, and Jennifer O’Hearn all of Wakefield, and Kathryn O’Connor (Daniel)of Portsmouth. His sister, Marcia Langenhagen (David Blanchard) resides in Hingham, MA. Remembered for his tough love and teachable moments, his grandchildren include Joshua and Christy Conrad, Cameron and Kaitlin Johnson, Dylan and Emerson O’Connor, and Lawson and Cooper O’Hearn. His nephews from MA are Charles, Conrad and Rodd Langenhagen. Predeceased by brother Bruce Conrad and son Robert Thunberg. As Chief of Emergency Services at South County Hospital (1968-1978), Dr. Conrad was a great innovator and educator. He began the first emergency medical services training for rescue and fire personnel and developed the first hospital based radio system to communicate with rescue squads and physicians. Credited for the establishment of an ICU and the first physician in the state to have a private physician’s assistant. In 1974 he developed the first FAA approved heliport in RI and New England at South County Hospital. South County Hospital honored him with the President’s Award in 1980 and the Trustees Award in 1984 and 1989. A founder and president of the North Kingstown Medical Treatment Center, Surgical Consultant for University of RI Health Services and The Ladd School, Dr. Conrad strived to give the best care for all patients of South County. (Yes! He is responsible for “The Cow Story”.) Arranging coverage for the physician on Block Island endeared him to the grateful residents. Always a trailblazer, Dr. Conrad intervened in the Marcia Gray case in 1988 after she remained in the persistent vegetative state from suffering a brain Hemorrhage and bringing her back to South County Hospital to die, honoring her wishes and the family directive after a federal court ruling. At the hospital, he was a task master, but he required the same for himself and he never took credit but passed it around. Known as “Project Man”, Dr. Bob enjoyed constructing floats, docks and Buildings at his home and on Plato Island. An animal lover, he raised lambs, turkeys, pigs and emus and would always have a black labrador buddy or two on the bow of his Boston Whaler heading down Salt Pond. He purchased Plato Island in 1966, was married there where family and friends have enjoyed lobster bakes, cookouts, campfires and many favorite times. Upon retirement, Captain Bob and Matey Marty became “Loopers” navigating the Great Loop for boaters circumnavigating the eastern US And Canada on inland waterways covering 7,000 miles and numerous locks. He also enjoyed the process of building his own Down East Lobster Boat. “Islandah” Eastern 31’ and cruising waters from RI to Canada. Ballroom dancers, the Conrads won the coveted mirror ball with a waltz Competing in Dancing With The Stars of South County in 2010. Over 15 winters Ski Dancing was their beloved sport, entertaining skiers and riders on snowy slopes in the US, Canada and Europe with whirls and twirls in dance position. Dr. Bob will be remembered for his love of anything chocolate (to keep his eyes brown) and for his great sense of values, his dedication to his profession and his dry sense of humor. Please omit flowers. A Celebration of his amazing life will take place in Marina Park, South Kingstown, on Monday, August 22 from 4-7 pm. Donations may gratefully be made in Dr. Conrad’s memory to: The Rhode Island Foundation targeting the SCH Conrad-Nestor Scholarship 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903 Or South County Health/Hospital 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879.