Conrad Hirzel

HIRZEL
Conrad Robert, a longtime resident of Ridgewood, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2016. Conrad was eighty-seven years old.
Conrad was born in Paterson, New Jersey on August 27, 1928. He was the first child of Anna Marie Wyder and Jacob Conrad Hirzel. Conrad was predeceased by his sister, Marie Hirzel Daly, in 1996. Conrad's parents were born in Switzerland and he took great pride in his Swiss heritage and citizenship. He graduated from Amherst College in 1950 and thereafter was employed in Zurich, Switzerland before relocating to New Jersey. He was married to Margaret Ann Kuhlman; the marriage ended in divorce.
Conrad was employed by Citizens First National Bank as a Vice President for many years until retirement in 1995. He served as President of the United Way as well as the YMCA of Ridgewood. He has been a long time member of Christ Church in Ridgewood, where he volunteered countless hours in many capacities.
Conrad was an avid cyclist for many years and enjoyed traveling the world. He particularly enjoyed traveling with the World Wildlife Fund. He spent a week each January for the last sixteen years at Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana, cross country skiing, dog sledding, wearing very strange hats and enjoying his evening martinis.
More than anything though Conrad loved the opera and ballet. He greatly enjoyed his dinners at the Grand Tier Restaurant before watching a performance at the Met. His love of the opera took him every August to the Santa Fe Open opera in New Mexico.
Conrad is survived by two sons, Conrad "Chip" Hirzel and his wife Alice of Marietta, GA; Peter Hirzel of Los Angeles, CA; twin daughters, Alice Palmieri and her partner Barbra Plohocki, of Center Valley, PA, and Meg Digby and her husband Charlie, of Nazareth, PA. He also leaves eight grandchildren of whom he was immensely proud; Ross, Effie, Darcey, Tucker, Will, Emma, Trevor and Owen; Barbra's children, Dana and Christopher; and three generations of nieces and nephews.
Conrad will be deeply missed by his family. Donations in his name can be made to the World Wildlife Fund or Doctors without Borders. A memorial service will be held in his honor on May 29, 2016 at 1:00 at Christ Church in Ridgewood. www.vanemburgh.com