Peter Walter Conrad

CONRAD, PETER WALTER, M.D. Of McLean, Virginia devoted husband of nearly 60 years to the love of his life, Marguerite (Keenan) Conrad died peacefully on September 15, 2013. Born in Bloomfield, NJ, Pete was the only son of the late Gertrude (Heitman) and Peter J Conrad and brother to the late Janet (Conrad) Puzio. Upon graduation from St Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, NJ, he lied about his age and joined the US Army where he trained as a medic and was stationed in Guam as WWII drew to a close. After his exposure to Army medicine he returned to St Peter's College, earning a BS in Biology and beginning his lifelong devotion to Peg whom he met at a Glee Club concert at St. Peter's. In 1950 he left New Jersey to matriculate at Georgetown University School of Medicine where he would spend much of his life in many different roles. In medical school he discovered a passion for surgery that would remain with him for decades. Pete completed internship in General Surgery at DC General Hospital, then went on to residency in surgery and subspecialty training in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Georgetown. After completing training he remained at Georgetown as a member of the Department of Surgery faculty. He was a pioneer in the field of cardiac surgery instrumental in the development and implementation of prosthetic heart valves as well as surgical techniques for the management of dissecting aortic aneurysms. His greatest professional love was teaching and mentoring generations of medical students and surgical residents at the University Hospital, Arlington Hospital, and Sibley Hospital. He was known for his legendary efficiency in the operating room, his wit and genial presence with the OR and support staff and his devotion to his patients. His personal life was no less fulfilling. A devout Catholic, for many years he was a daily communicant. This combined with his long and happy marriage to Peg were the sustaining factors in his life. In addition to his wife, he leaves five beloved children: Marguerite Roach and her husband, James, of Sudbury, MA, Peter and his wife, Jane, of St Louis, MO, Elizabeth Dubbelde and her husband, John, of Woodbridge, VA, Patricia Rizzo and her husband, James, of McLean, VA, and Robert and his wife, Piper, of Vienna, VA; and fifteen grandchildren: Meredith, Keenan, James, Jillian, John A., Mary, John P., Thomas, Madeleine, Abigail, Marguerite, Peter, Luke, Phillip and Sydney. Relatives and friends are invited to Peter's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Monday, September 23 from 6-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA on Tuesday, September 24 at 11am. Interment will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made "In memory of Dr. Peter Conrad" to Georgetown University Medical School Scholarships, Office of Advancement, 3300 Whitehaven St., NW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20007.