Robert Conrad

SP5 (T) Robert Herman Conrad, a beloved dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend was born on April 14, 1944, and left this world on December 17, 2024, in Benton, Arkansas.

He was born in Little Rock and attended Fuller High School. Shortly after graduation he began military service with HHC 336th Ordnance Battalion and was subsequently deployed to Vietnam from 1968 -1969. Following his return stateside, Robert worked many years in sales and service with RCA, Sysco, Dillards, and Russell Auto Group. Some of his favorite pastimes were spent traveling and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed working around the house and yard and never spent an idle moment. Never. Just ask his children. There were endless pine needles to rake and pine cones to be picked up in the yard. You could never say you were “bored”…well, grab the wheel barrow then! Robert found joy in the simple pleasures of life too—smoking a cigar on his back porch and enjoying a cold beer after a long day. He was always up for an adventure too. His children had a good many of them with their dad taking them for rides down Airplane Hill in the back of his old 1958 Chevy Apache truck, with his niece along for the hair-raising ride. Robert loved a good family and friend gathering too, especially the Conrad Family Fourth of July and Labor Day picnics, where they celebrated with BBQ, beer, horseshoes, fireworks, and lots of laughter. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, watching them grow, while welcoming three great-grandchildren along the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Robert Alfred Conrad and Dorothea Rauch Conrad who surely welcomed him with open arms.

Left behind to cherish Robert's memory are his sister, Emily Davis, his niece Gina Hurt (Darrell), his former wife of 29 years, Sunny Wilkie Powers, his loving companion, Marie Pringle, his sons, Chris Conrad (Ruth), Tim Conrad (Kate), and Matt Conrad (Terri), his daughter, Sunny Madrenas (Pierre), eleven grandchildren, Jack Conrad, Chloe Conrad, Meghan Conrad, Alex Conrad, Andrew Conrad, Matthew Conrad, Emily Conrad, Dorothea Madrenas, Lucas Madrenas, Gabe Conrad, Thomas Madrenas, and 3 great-grandchildren, Julian, Elias and Isabelle.

A Celebration of Robert's Life will be held at First Lutheran Church (314 E. Eighth Street, Little Rock, AR 72202) where family and friends will gather for a visitation on January 2, 2025, beginning at 9:30 a.m. This will be followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m., culminating in interment with military honors at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery (1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR 72120) at 12:00 p.m.

As we gather to celebrate the life of Robert, we reflect on the moments shared, the laughter felt, and the love given. He will be profoundly missed but forever cherished in the hearts of his family and friends.

Arrangements are under the care of the Smith Family Funeral Homes - North Little Rock, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114.

In lieu of flowers a memorial gift can be made to Vietnam Veterans of America https://vva.org/ by placing 

Robert H. Conrad - Arkansas in the Honoree Name box.