Carl Conrad III

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Carl Conrad III, 73, passed away unexpectedly June 8, 2021 at his home in Kentwood, Michigan. Never at a loss for words, Carl was a great thinker with a passion for books, philosophy, conversation, and culture. He was a gracious father and a loving husband, always eager to offer up a unique perspective, an astute observation, or a word of encouragement when needed.

Born December 22, 1947 in Jackson, Michigan, Carl was a graduate of Parkside High School, class of 1966. A gifted athlete, he was a star quarterback and captain of the football team. Carl also played varsity basketball and competed in multiple track and field events, including hurdles and pole vault.

From 1966 to 1968, Carl attended Central Michigan University and Jackson Community College. In November 1970 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., he worked as a photomicrographer and received multiple citations for excellence and merit. He was honorably discharged in May of 1972, and that same year completed his BA in Economics from Western Michigan University.

After college, Carl worked as an administrator for Aeroquip Corporation in Jackson, and as a banker for Citizens Savings Bank where he specialized in commercial lending. In 1990 he attended graduate school, working toward a master’s degree at his alma mater Western Michigan University. From 1991 until his retirement in 2007 he taught economics and business at Davenport University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

An avid and prolific writer, Carl authored several full-length novels, stage plays and nonfiction books throughout his lifetime, and was known to write imaginative stories for his children and grandchildren to commemorate birthdays and special occasions. In his later years, Carl worked as a freelance writer, publishing dozens of book reviews, short stories, poems and comedy sketches on top of editing a monthly financial newsletter.

Carl had many interests and hobbies, with eclectic tastes in movies, music, and literature. He enjoyed chess, tennis, long-distance running, and photography, and had a lifelong interest in science fiction, especially the works of Frank Herbert and Arthur C. Clarke. He counted Paul McCartney, Prince, The Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull among his favorite musical artists, and was always quick to recall a punchline from one of his favorite TV sitcoms, particularly Seinfeld, Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The King of Queens. He admired the films of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, and Quentin Tarantino, and loved to discuss sports, politics, and philosophy with his friends.

Carl was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Jean, and father, Carl Conrad, Jr. He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife Judy Zandstra, stepchildren Doug and Angela, and his extended Herrema family in Kentwood. He is also survived by his daughter Whitney McDonald and spouse Sean of Chicago, Illinois; son Evan Conrad and spouse Sarah of Kalamazoo; sister Sheri Miller and spouse David; and grandchildren Matthew (10) and Bryn (7).

In his own words, Carl hoped to be remembered “as a thoughtful man—as in one who was deliberative and also courteous—but also as a writer, a reader, and a man who loved to think and talk about things both meaningful and frivolous, and who always encouraged others to appreciate and express their talents.”

A memorial service will be held at Newhall Community Church (3746 Byron Center SW, Wyoming) on Tuesday, June 22 at 7 p.m., followed by a period of fellowship and conversation, one of Carl’s most treasured pastimes.