R. Conrad Heinson, the founder of Allied Oil & Supply Inc. and later Allied Tire Co., recently died at the age of 96.
Born in Steelsville, Mo., to Vera (Porterfield) and Jacob Heinson, Conrad began working at age eight, herding local famers' cows on his way to school, delivering newspapers and tending to other odd jobs to help his family during the Great Depression.
While a high school senior, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as radar mechanic in the 867th Bombardment Group.
After World War II, Conrad became a salesman for Interstate Oil in Kansas City, Kan. He then started his own business, Omaha, Neb.-based Allied Oil & Supply, in 1958.
He later opened Allied Tire Co. and developed a network of retail tire stores that stretched from Omaha to San Diego, Calif.
In 1998, Allied opened what was then believed to be the highest volume Michelin Retread Technologies plant in North America.
In 2019, Allied sold its tire division to Durand, Wis.-based Bauer Built Inc. in order to focus on its industrial services and lubricants divisions.
"I never worked a day in my life," he once said. "I spent my days calling on friends."
Preceded by his wife of 67 years, Ann; daughter, Debra; parents; a brother: and a sister, Conrad is survived by his daughter, Tamara Fowler (Doak); son-in-law, Steve Thiesfeld; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place May 20 at 4:30 p.m. at West Center Chapel in Omaha, with funeral services held there the next day.
Memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital and the Nebraska Children's Home Society.
