Walter Konrad (aka Kolodziejsk) O.D., 94, a 50-year resident of 140 Lewiston Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms and Detroit-area optometrist who had a warm smile and helping hand for all who knew him, died Saturday Jan. 8, 2011, from pneumonia.
He was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Detroit to Walter and Wanda Kolodziejsk, Polish immigrants. He attended Immaculate Conception elementary school, Pershing High School and Wayne State University. He also served in the U.S. Navy, received his advanced degree from the Illinois School of Optometry and ultimately, with his wife, built a large and successful optical business under the names of Van Dyke Optical and Konrad Optical with offices throughout the Detroit area. The business thrived until the early 1990s, when Dr. Konrad sold the last of his own shops and worked as an independent optometrist for several major optical chains. He retired from practice in 1996 at age 80.
Dr. Konrad loved spending time with his family, especially taking long road trips through Michigan and neighboring states, and using his private pilot's license to fly to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Boyne Mountain. He was actively involved in his children's activities including baseball, go-carting, horseback riding and skiing.
In his later years, Dr. Konrad lived with his son and stayed busy working in his garden, helping with several home renovation projects and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He mowed his own lawn his entire life, something neighbors and friends often remarked upon. Father and son could often be seen flying kites over the lake at the Grosse Pointe Farms park.
He was a loyal parishioner at St. Philomena's in Detroit where Monsignor Lentine allowed the family to give a special tribute to Dr. Konrad at a recent Mass.
Dr. Konrad is survived by his children, Beth Konrad (Frank) Wilberding, Leeann (Tim Hefferon) Konrad, Walecia (John Wilson) Konrad Murphy and Walter Konrad Jr. and grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Amelia and Stephen.
He was predeceased by his wife, Loranna (Kachele) Konrad (1925-1984) and daughter, Stephanie Konrad.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.
He was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Detroit to Walter and Wanda Kolodziejsk, Polish immigrants. He attended Immaculate Conception elementary school, Pershing High School and Wayne State University. He also served in the U.S. Navy, received his advanced degree from the Illinois School of Optometry and ultimately, with his wife, built a large and successful optical business under the names of Van Dyke Optical and Konrad Optical with offices throughout the Detroit area. The business thrived until the early 1990s, when Dr. Konrad sold the last of his own shops and worked as an independent optometrist for several major optical chains. He retired from practice in 1996 at age 80.
Dr. Konrad loved spending time with his family, especially taking long road trips through Michigan and neighboring states, and using his private pilot's license to fly to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Boyne Mountain. He was actively involved in his children's activities including baseball, go-carting, horseback riding and skiing.
In his later years, Dr. Konrad lived with his son and stayed busy working in his garden, helping with several home renovation projects and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He mowed his own lawn his entire life, something neighbors and friends often remarked upon. Father and son could often be seen flying kites over the lake at the Grosse Pointe Farms park.
He was a loyal parishioner at St. Philomena's in Detroit where Monsignor Lentine allowed the family to give a special tribute to Dr. Konrad at a recent Mass.
Dr. Konrad is survived by his children, Beth Konrad (Frank) Wilberding, Leeann (Tim Hefferon) Konrad, Walecia (John Wilson) Konrad Murphy and Walter Konrad Jr. and grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Amelia and Stephen.
He was predeceased by his wife, Loranna (Kachele) Konrad (1925-1984) and daughter, Stephanie Konrad.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Walter Konrad (aka Kolodziejsk) O.D., 94, a 50-year resident of 140 Lewiston Rd, Grosse Pointe Farms and Detroit-area optometrist who had a warm smile and helping hand for all who knew him, died Saturday Jan. 8, 2011, from pneumonia.
He was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Detroit to Walter and Wanda Kolodziejsk, Polish immigrants. He attended Immaculate Conception elementary school, Pershing High School and Wayne State University. He also served in the U.S. Navy, received his advanced degree from the Illinois School of Optometry and ultimately, with his wife, built a large and successful optical business under the names of Van Dyke Optical and Konrad Optical with offices throughout the Detroit area. The business thrived until the early 1990s, when Dr. Konrad sold the last of his own shops and worked as an independent optometrist for several major optical chains. He retired from practice in 1996 at age 80.
Dr. Konrad loved spending time with his family, especially taking long road trips through Michigan and neighboring states, and using his private pilot's license to fly to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Boyne Mountain. He was actively involved in his children's activities including baseball, go-carting, horseback riding and skiing.
In his later years, Dr. Konrad lived with his son and stayed busy working in his garden, helping with several home renovation projects and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He mowed his own lawn his entire life, something neighbors and friends often remarked upon. Father and son could often be seen flying kites over the lake at the Grosse Pointe Farms park.
He was a loyal parishioner at St. Philomena's in Detroit where Monsignor Lentine allowed the family to give a special tribute to Dr. Konrad at a recent Mass.
Dr. Konrad is survived by his children, Beth Konrad (Frank) Wilberding, Leeann (Tim Hefferon) Konrad, Walecia (John Wilson) Konrad Murphy and Walter Konrad Jr. and grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Amelia and Stephen.
He was predeceased by his wife, Loranna (Kachele) Konrad (1925-1984) and daughter, Stephanie Konrad.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.
He was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Detroit to Walter and Wanda Kolodziejsk, Polish immigrants. He attended Immaculate Conception elementary school, Pershing High School and Wayne State University. He also served in the U.S. Navy, received his advanced degree from the Illinois School of Optometry and ultimately, with his wife, built a large and successful optical business under the names of Van Dyke Optical and Konrad Optical with offices throughout the Detroit area. The business thrived until the early 1990s, when Dr. Konrad sold the last of his own shops and worked as an independent optometrist for several major optical chains. He retired from practice in 1996 at age 80.
Dr. Konrad loved spending time with his family, especially taking long road trips through Michigan and neighboring states, and using his private pilot's license to fly to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Boyne Mountain. He was actively involved in his children's activities including baseball, go-carting, horseback riding and skiing.
In his later years, Dr. Konrad lived with his son and stayed busy working in his garden, helping with several home renovation projects and visiting with his children and grandchildren. He mowed his own lawn his entire life, something neighbors and friends often remarked upon. Father and son could often be seen flying kites over the lake at the Grosse Pointe Farms park.
He was a loyal parishioner at St. Philomena's in Detroit where Monsignor Lentine allowed the family to give a special tribute to Dr. Konrad at a recent Mass.
Dr. Konrad is survived by his children, Beth Konrad (Frank) Wilberding, Leeann (Tim Hefferon) Konrad, Walecia (John Wilson) Konrad Murphy and Walter Konrad Jr. and grandchildren, Samantha, Abigail, Amelia and Stephen.
He was predeceased by his wife, Loranna (Kachele) Konrad (1925-1984) and daughter, Stephanie Konrad.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
