Conrad "Connie" KEIL

1935 - 2017

KEIL, Conrad "Connie" Conrad Allen Keil was born on August 13, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Emmanuel Keil and Edna Pennington Keil (Miller). Conrad grew up amongst a community of cousins, aunts and uncles in Oklahoma City. He attended Oklahoma City University, and later attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1956. He had a long and successful professional life with Union Carbide Corporation in Houston, Texas, New Orleans, LA, Brownsville, TX, and Charleston, WV; and with FMC Corporation in Philadelphia, PA. Conrad's lifelong passion was barbershop-style vocal harmony music. He sang, taught, coached, judged, and directed music his entire life. "Connie", as he was known in the singing world, sang in quartets as a tenor; his latest quartets were Cahoots, based in Philadelphia, and Sonoran Sound, based in Tucson. Conrad directed four barbershop choruses, in Houston, New Orleans, Bryn Mawr, and Philadelphia. Conrad married Dianne (Wooten) Keil in 1961; she and their two sons survive him. They divorced in 1999, and he married Kathy - his soulmate with whom he lived, sang, and traveled the world. Conrad and Kathy retired to Tucson, AZ, a home from which they explored the American west and connected with a new community of musicians and friends. Conrad is survived by his wife, Kathy and her stepdaughter, Rachel Broderick (Jim); his son, David Keil (Jenny); and his son, Philip Keil (Stacy Miller). He is also survived by cousins in Texas and Oklahoma. Conrad was very pleased that his grandchildren, Christian, Evan, and Kelly were blessed with his gift and passion for music. Conrad passed away peacefully in his Tucson home on May 29, 2017, Memorial Day, with his wife, Kathy at his side singing his favorite songs. A celebration of his life will be held at Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave., Oro Valley, Arizona on Sunday, August 13, 2017, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Barbershop Harmony Society (www.barbershop.org) or the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.