Robert J. Conrad, longtime New Orleans civic leader, dies at 86

He was head of the real estate division at the law firm of Adams & Reese

Robert J. Conrad, a real estate attorney and civic leader who served on several regional boards, died Monday at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center after a long illness. He was 86.

Robert J. Conrad

During his career, Mr. Conrad was the resident attorney for the Prudential Insurance Co. and later moved to head the real estate division at the law firm of Adams & Reese.

Working with Prudential, he was instrumental at both places in the acquisition and development of several downtown properties such as Poydras Plaza, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and 1515 Poydras.

As a lawyer, "he was a gentleman of the old school," said Semmes Favrot, a younger colleague who was mentored by Mr. Conrad.

"He was a man of the utmost integrity, and in the high-pressure world of the downtown law firm he stood for calmness and grace," Favrot said. "I know when there were times as younger man when I wanted to fly off the handle, it was Mr. Conrad who taught me otherwise.

"When I think of him, integrity and grace and gentlemanliness come to mind."

Mr. Conrad also served the city on several public boards.

Mayor Moon Landrieu appointed him to the board of the Downtown Development District, which he later led as chairman. He was a member of the old Mississippi River Bridge Authority during construction of the Crescent City Connection. Mr. Conrad also served as chairman of the Charity Hospital board.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Conrad was a member of the board of Fifth District Savings Bank in Algiers.

In Algiers, Mr. Conrad was president of the St. Andrew School Foundation, as well as that school's PTA. The Archdiocese of New Orleans awarded him the Order of St. Louis for his service to the church.

Mr. Conrad attended Behrman High School and Louisiana State University, where he played in the Tiger band. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and later earned his law degree from Loyola University.

Mr. Conrad is survived by Joel, his wife of 62 years; three sons, Jerry, Kenneth and Dr. Kevin Conrad; a daughter, Karen Eagan; and 19 grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3101 Eton St., Algiers, followed by Mass at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Lakelawn Mausoleum.

Mothe Funeral Home in Algiers is in charge of arrangements.