Robert Conrad

Robert B. Conrad, Professor Emeritus, UNC Charlotte

Robert Ballard (RB) Conrad lost his heroic 2-year fight with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, February 12, 2022.  As cancer was claiming his body, the disease never took his cheerful outlook, quick wit, or strong, caring spirit.

Born, April 18, 1932 in Durham, NC to Rebecca Barrow and Norman Conrad, he graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC.  RB joined the US Navy and served as corpsman on the hospital ship, USS Haven during the Korean War Conflict. Although admittedly not the best student in his youth, he graduated Suma Cum Laude with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration, UNC-Chapel Hill and was invited to join the most prestigious honorary society: Phi Beta Kappa.

As an Industrial Engineer, he was employed by Owens Illinois Glass Company and Collins and Aikman.  In the midst of a successful business career, RB experienced a life-harrowing car accident.  This incident so profoundly changed his perspective on life that he relinquished his career to pursue his doctorate.  In 1969, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In 1970, Dr. Conrad came to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and began his 30 year tenure as a professor.    He was the ultimate entertainer, using his past experiences in business management to make the classroom come to life.  Every semester, his class quickly filled up while others teaching the same subject, were not.  In 1977, Dr. Conrad traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of the Nigerian Institute of Management. They enjoyed his teaching so much that he was featured on the July month of the annual calendar.

In 1979, Dr. Conrad won the North Carolina National Bank Award (Nations Bank Award).The Nations Bank Award is now the Bank of America Award for Teaching and is one of UNCC's most prestigious awards for faculty members.
Dr. Conrad was one of only a few chosen to become a member of six different honorary fraternities: Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Alpha Psi.

Dr. Conrad was recognized as an accomplished researcher and authored numerous articles in various professional business journals.  His professional affiliations included the Southern Management Association, the Society for the Advancement of Management, Board of Directors for the Metrolina Chapter of SAM (Society for the Advancement of Management), the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, Southeast AIDS and Production and Operations Management Society. Notably, one of his co-authored articles concerning tenure was cited by the Supreme Court as part of the basis for their decision.

RB is survived by his wife of 33 years, Charlene Hatley Conrad.   Inseparable, they enjoyed a happy life together.   Other relatives include his daughter, Sherry Frye (Jack), of Goldsboro, NC and his late son, Robin Conrad.

The family would like to thank the supportive nurses, CNA’s and staff at Levine Cancer Center in Concord and the Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County.
Memorials may be made to Baptist Children’s Home of NC, P. O Box 338, Thomasville, NC.  27361, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA. 90266, or a charity of your choosing.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 21, 2022, from 1:00 - 1:45 PM, at Hartsell Funeral Home, 12115 University City Blvd., Harrisburg. A celebration of life will follow at 2:00 PM, in the chapel. The service will be webcast at the following link for those who can not attend. http://video.ibm.com/channel/drygeSYpxX7