Marcel Conrad III

Marcel "Skip" Conrad III (1948 - 2012) Skip Conrad lost his courageous battle to pancreatic cancer on Saturday, February 4, 2012. He died while doing what he loved best - traveling to foreign lands with his loving wife, Vanessa. Skip was born in Alexandria Virginia on November 4, 1948, the day that the Chicago Tribune announced in bold headlines, "Dewey defeats Truman." This may have foreshadowed Skip's lifelong love of newspapers, politics and the underdog. Skip was the oldest child of Patricia H. Conrad and Marcel E. Conrad, Jr., M.D. Skip grew up in Washington D.C. while his father was an intern at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Skip had a natural entrepreneurial spirit and started out as a newspaper carrier at the age of eight. He attended St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Silver Spring, MD and graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School in 1966. After high school, Skip attended Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. He lettered in soccer and was the Editor of "The Oracle", the student newspaper at Hamline, founded in 1888. He graduated from Hamline University with degrees in Journalism and Political Science in 1970. Skip was passionately anti-violence and became active in the anti-war movement while at Hamline. After moving to Arizona in 1972, Skip joined the McGovern Campaign for President. Later that year, he helped found the McGovern Youth Campaign in California and became the State's co-chair with his good friend, Bill Lockyer. When traveling from Arizona to California, Skip stopped off in Yosemite National Park and fell in love with the park. He returned often over the years. He settled in San Francisco and began his 40-year love affair with "the City." In 1973, Skip became the Director of Properties at the San Francisco International Airport managing and developing all commercial airline and concession operations for more than 12 years. He then went to work as a Senior Consultant and Partner at Peat Marwick, consulting for many North American international airports. Skip was named Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Fair, a small State of California agency, which conducted fairs and expositions and developed the largest annual North American Wine Competition now run by the Chronicle. Skip attended law school at night while working full time and in 1978 he obtained his law degree from Lincoln University and was admitted to the California State Bar. In his law practice, Skip represented a full-range of aviation clients at over 20 North American airports. Skip went to work at Oakland International Airport in 1997 and became the Director of Aviation Properties. Trusted and admired by his colleagues and co-workers, he was elected President of professional union, IFPTE Local 21, at the Port of Oakland. Skip was an intelligent, gentle, generous, loving person who appreciated a glass of fine red wine, a good party, music, film, golf, traveling with his beloved Vanessa, and reading several newspapers every day. He loved all things French and traveled to Paris numerous times including most recently last year. He took great pride in his beautiful Victorian home and loved reading about and discussing the history of all things San Francisco and its politics. He was and remains much loved by his surviving family: his wife of 26 years, Vanessa Conrad, his father and mother, his brother Mark E. Conrad (Maureen), nephew Alex and niece Kristen, Sister Carol C. Pittman (Keith), and nephews Matt, Alex and Tim. As well as his many many friends and colleagues who will miss his humor, his brilliant mind and his steady presence. A celebration of Skip's life will be held at the City Club of San Francisco 155 Sansome, 10th floor, on Thursday, February 16, 2012, 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.