 Conrad, the youngest of three boys, is the son of James Watson Conrad, an engineer, and Margaret Clement Conrad, a librarian.He is the great-grandson of electrical engineer Frank Conrad, great-nephew of Martin Withington Clement, who was president of the Pennsylvania Railroad 1935-1948, and great-nephew of Maj. General Charles M. Clement, commander of the 28th Division.He is a native of Swissvale, Pennsylvania, and grew up on the border of Edgewood, both suburbs of Pittsburgh.