OMAHA, NE — Conrad Heinson passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 16 at the age of 96. He spent his last days surrounded by family, listening to classic country music.

Conrad was born on February 1, 1926 in Steelville, Missouri, to Vera (Porterfield) and Jacob Diedrick Heinson. A child of the Great Depression, Conrad began working at the age of eight herding neighboring farmers’ cows on his way to school, delivering papers, and other odd jobs to help the family.

While a senior in high school, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force at the age of 17 and reported to Fort Leavenworth in April of 1944. Conrad trained and served as a Radar Mechanic in the 867th Bombardment Group within the 243rd Army Air Force Base Unit. While serving, he was stationed in Kassel, Germany.

After the war, Conrad became a Salesman for Interstate Oil in Kansas City, Kansas. Upon learning the company was pulling out of the Nebraska-Iowa territory, he recognized an opportunity and started his own business. In August of 1958, Allied Oil & Supply, Inc. opened its doors in Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1965, the company expanded their location in Omaha and ventured into new products, creating Allied Tire Co. and Allied Construction Specialties. Conrad developed a network of retail tire outlets spanning from Omaha to San Diego, California, by 1968. In 1998, Allied opened the highest volume Michelin Retread plant in the Americas.

Today, Allied provides services and products out of seven branch locations, distributing to an eight-state area and employing 160 people. Conrad loved his career and said, “I never worked a day in my life. I spent my days calling on my friends.” He took great pride in building a multi-generational business with his two daughters, nephew Greg Kennedy, and grandson Kyle Fowler.

Conrad met his wife Ann Imhoff in Omaha, and they were married in 1954. The two were married for 67 years, until Ann’s passing in August of 2021 at the age of 102. They had two daughters, Debra and Tamara, both active in the family business since 1979.

Conrad explored the world by land, touring the United States via motorcoach — by air, flying his single and twin engine Beechcraft Bonanzas — and by sea, captaining his boats in fresh and saltwater. His feet have traversed every continent except Antarctica, later retiring in the warm weather of Fort Myers, Florida, to fish, dance, and ride his motorcycle. Conrad enjoyed the spoils of a lifetime of hard work. Above all, he loved people and would gladly tell anyone who would listen, the stories of his lifetime.

A self-made man with a generous heart, he supported St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, the VA, and many other charitable organizations. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a Tangier Shriner.

Conrad is survived by his daughter Tamara Fowler (Doak); son-in-law, Steve Thiesfeld; grandchildren, Kimberly Vail (Dan), Kyle Fowler (Kelly), Jayme Fowler, Steven Thiesfeld; and his great-grandchildren, Victoria and Coralie Vail.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ann; daughter Debra; parents; and siblings, Celia Kennedy and Wade Heinson.