Mark Conrad

1953 - 2023

Mark Conrad

1953-2023

Mark Conrad, student-athlete, educator, coach, attorney, executive, beloved husband and loyal friend throughout his lifetime, died unexpectedly on March 25, 2023. He was 69.

During his law career, Mark rose from the position of labor associate to labor lawyer and then executive of a world-wide leading manufacturer, while maintaining a lifetime love of sports, from boyhood to intercollegiate competitor and enthusiastic spectator.

Mark Alan Conrad was born on August 20, 1953 in Rossford, Ohio, to Floyd and Helen Conrad, who preceded him in death.

Mark grew up playing sports and riding bikes with neighborhood friends, some of whom would remain close for his lifetime. At Rossford High School, while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, Mark excelled as a varsity athlete in both football and baseball.

After graduating high school, Mark was offered and accepted an academic scholarship to attend Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Majoring in history, Mark's athletic career continued as he lettered in football and baseball all four years. Mark was a first baseman and, in his senior year, captain of the baseball team, and offensive tackle and leader on the football team. He was also a school record-setter as a punter and a placekicker who tied a school record in his senior year by kicking nine extra points in one game. Most importantly, Mark made some amazing friends with a group of athletic scholars who remained friends for life.

After graduating from Oberlin in 1975, Mark chose to stay in Oberlin, where he taught high school history. He was also assistant coach of the football team and head coach of the baseball team.

After three years coaching and teaching, Mark decided to attend law school at the University of Toledo, where he again made many friends while playing intramural sports. He was associate editor of the Law Review, a member of Phi Kappa Kappa and graduated magna cum laude in 1981.

Mark's first job practicing law was at the largest law firm in Michigan: Dykema, Gosset, Spencer, Goodnow & Trigg, where his primary responsibilities were handling labor cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was also involved in civil rights labor relations and other employment related litigation.

Mark's continuing love of sports allowed him the opportunity to be designated to scout the Detroit Lions on behalf of the Oakland Raiders.

In 1982, Mark married Jan Hasemeier. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past July 10th.

In 1983, Mark and Jan moved back to Toledo when Libbey-Owens-Ford offered Mark the position of Labor Lawyer. He began traveling internationally, negotiating joint ventures and buying and selling businesses.

Mark was soon promoted to Vice-President, Secretary and General Counsel of Aeroquip Corporation, in Jackson, Michigan. As Vice-President of Human Resources for Aeroquip, Mark's responsibilities included strategies and implementation of staffing, compensation, benefits, HR budgets, employee relationships, performance metrics and consultation to management. When LOF sold the glass division, Mark decided to stay with the business side of the newly formed TRINOVA as the Vice-President of Human Resources. Mark remained in that position until failing health forced him into early retirement.

When Mark needed a kidney, five people offered to make the donation but Stuart Cubbon was the perfect match and gave Mark the gift of life in 1995.

Mark was a lifelong golfer, traveling across the country and world to pursue his passion. His training and deep knowledge of history led him to St. Andrews in Scotland, the birthplace of the game. Of all the courses he played, the Old Course at St. Andrews was his favorite.

Mark never had brothers by birth, but Paul Radon, John Kovanda, Dan Kimmet, Mike Hoverman, Bob Kardos, and Claude Oleson filled that role admirably.

It would be impossible to name the many, many people who were available whenever Mark needed anything. Weekly calls and visits by so many, meals delivered, helping Mark attend sporting events and college reunions, talking sports and countless other things helped enrich Mark's daily life immeasurably. Most especially an enormous thank you goes to Korina McIntosh, Mark's nurse and friend. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude owed to her for making dialysis bearable.

In addition to his wife, Mark is survived by Jan's sisters, Susan (Claude) Oleson and Nanci Fisher; nephews, Jeff (Stephanie) Fisher and Steve Oleson; niece, Kristen Oleson; great-nephew, Jeremy (Shanna) Fisher; and great-niece, Jenna Fisher. He is also survived by his aunt, Hazel Dussel; many cousins; and his beloved dogs, Muppet and Dolly.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 21 at Stone Oak Country Club, 100 Stone Oak Blvd., Holland, Ohio 43528, from 1-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, to honor Mark's wishes, contributions can be made to the Heisman Club of Oberlin College. Donors can use the online link https://advance.oberlin.edu/donate, or mail contributions to Oberlin College, P.O. Box 72110, Cleveland OH 44192-0002. Specify that donations be made to the Heisman Club, in memory of Mark Conrad. Mark will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.