President’s Message
DEATH NOTICE
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you and your
family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019!
As this new year begins, it is appropriate to thank all our
members who have volunteered their service to the Ranch
over the past year. Whether serving on the Board, on one or
more of our Standing Committees, or working on particular
events and projects, these selfless individuals carry on the
most important of Canada Creek Ranch’s rich traditions –
the tradition of volunteering their talents, time and efforts
on behalf of the entire Association. Without these member-
volunteers it would be impossible to continue all the great
activities and services that define the CCR Experience.
A special note of thanks is extended to David Smith for his
Board service over the past three years. Dave’s thoughtful
contributions and good counsel are much appreciated.
The Board is looking forward to the year ahead. Our long
tenured General Manager, Eric Johnson, has announced his
intention to retire by year’s end. The important process of
selecting our next General Manager is already under way.
You will be kept informed on the progress of that effort.
A second important focus of this year ’s Board is the
completion and adoption of a new Strategic Plan. This Plan’s
vision is rooted in CCR’s Mission Statement and builds on
CCR’s past planning efforts that began with the 2004 Long
Range and Land Use Master Plans and continued through
the 2016 Density Study.
To ensure the Plan incorporates the latest and best feedback
from our current members, the Board conducted two in-depth
workshops of members and employees in mid-2018. These
meetings focused attention on the Strengths and Weaknesses
of the Association, as well as identifying future Opportunities
and Threats that might impact us from entities outside the
Ranch. These workshops were followed by a survey to all
members that sought your responses to themes and concerns
raised during the workshops.
Now that the data collection is finished, the Plan will be
finalized with multi-year Goals and measurable Objectives
to ensure it remains on track. You’ll be learning more about
the new Strategic Plan as it nears completion.
Looking forward to another year at our wonderful Ranch!
Ray Karbon, Board President
Conrad, Melvin “Ken”
Melvin Kenneth Conrad (“Ken”) was born on May 3, 1933 in
Hazel Park, Michigan, the son of Charles Lewis Conrad and
Edna Martha Leppala. He married Dorothy J. Smyth on June
20, 1953, and he and Dorothy celebrated their 65th wedding
anniversary this past year. Ken was the loving father of
Charles J. Conrad (Wendy) and Susan E. Conrad (Peter
Draper), grandfather to Evan and Drew Conrad, and brother-
in-law to Thomas Smyth. Ken passed away suddenly on
Saturday, December 8, 2018.
Ken was an Air Force veteran, serving his country during the
Korean War.
He graduated from Royal Oak Dondero High School and
Lawrence Tech with a degree in electrical engineering.
During a long professional career, he held many technical
and sales positions and worked for several companies
including General Motors and United Technologies.
He was always supportive of his children’s endeavors and
was involved in their community athletic teams. He was
instrumental in establishing the Birmingham amateur hockey
organization and in getting the Birmingham Ice Arena built
through his involvement with the Parks & Recreation Board.
He coached daughter Susan’s softball team to a city
championship. He enjoyed following the Detroit hometown
professional sports teams, especially the Red Wings. He kept
very active and was even a member of a senior men’s softball
team until about two years ago.
Ken was one of those people who knew how to fix just about
anything, and was always willing to help anybody who
needed assistance. Whatever was broken, Ken could repair
it.
Although it is impossible to summarize Ken’s entire life in a
few short paragraphs, two main traits must be mentioned:
his love of nature and his love of family.
Ken spent his adult life sharing his love and acquired
knowledge of the natural world with his children and
grandsons. Fishing was his passion, and he pursued it in any
weather, sometimes on his own and sometimes with friends
or family. He made the best smoked salmon on the planet,
and it is safe to say that he felt you could never have too
much fishing gear or too many duck decoys. Maintaining a
tradition that began decades ago with his own father, every
August Ken and the entire family headed to northern
Michigan to spend a week at Canada Creek Ranch, where
Ken delighted in teaching us archery, kayaking, target and
skeet shooting, and of course fishing. Every evening, no
matter how long the day had been, Ken was always ready
and willing to go out to look for wildlife. He could spot a
deer better than anyone and was especially pleased when he
was able to find the elusive elk for us to observe and marvel
at.
Ken was the patriarch of the Conrad family and our rock.
Beneath his stoic exterior beat the heart of the kindest and
gentlest husband, father, brother, uncle and granddad anyone
could wish for.
Family will receive friends Thursday, December 13, 2018, 2-
6pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell
Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn 13-14 Mile), 248-549-0500.
Thank You
We want to extend a very gracious thank-you to all
the members that supplied the staff at CCR with
cards and goodies this Christmas Season. It is
very much appreciated!
- CCR Team Members
GREEN BOX HOURS
Wed. Noon - 2 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Sun. Noon - 2 p.m.
~Lovingly submitted by Family~
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