Conrad Elbert Adair

Conrad Elbert Adair passed away on August 25, 2015 peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born in Birmingham on January 20, 1930 to Leonadus Elbert and Lucy Belle Garner Adair. He received his undergraduate degree in Engineering from Auburn University, an MBA from Samford University, and his PhD from the University of Alabama. After retiring from a 32-year career with United States Steel Corp. as Superintendent of Personnel Services, Dr. Adair began a second career as a professor at Birmingham Southern College. He loved teaching and traveling throughout the world with his students. After being awarded a Fulbright Fellowship, Dr. Adair and his wife, Cathryn, spent a year in Thailand where he taught at Thammassat University in Bangkok. He also worked through the University of Pittsburgh as a professor in the Semester at Sea program, literally taking students around the globe. After retiring as Professor Emeritus, Conrad then began a third career as an instructor for FEMA serving in disaster-stricken areas throughout the country. He and Cathryn were known for their fun, often themed parties; they loved to entertain and spend time with friends. Conrad was a Master Gardner as evidenced by his prize-winning roses. Dr. Adair loved his church family at Vestavia Church of Christ and never missed a service until his health failed, serving for a period as an elder there. He was preceded in death by his parents, his seven siblings, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth Cathryn Buckner Adair. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Linda (Rick) Kyle of Andalusia, Alabama, Karen (Joe) Stroud of Auburn, AL, and Doug (Nina) Adair of Birmingham; ten grandchildren, Amy Kyle (Scott) Stapler of Huntsville, Emily Kyle (Hayden) Meredith of Columbus, GA, David (Maggee) Kyle of Louisville, KY, Lucy Stroud (Craig) Young of Houston. TX, Jay (Jenn) Stroud of Auburn, Mary Cathryn Stroud (Morgan) Holladay of Opelika, James Adair of San Diego, CA, Andrew Adair of Birmingham, John Michael Adair of Boston, MA, and Grace Adair of Birmingham; nine great-grandchildren, and a host of special nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at 1:00pm on Saturday at Johns-Ridouts Mortuary, Elmwood Chapel, with a graveside service to follow at 2:00pm in Elmwood Cemetery. Pall bearers will be Dr. Adair's grandsons.