Conrad K. Eastman, 80, of Fryeburg, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at his home. He was born in North Conway, N.H., son of Harry K. and Leura Hill Eastman. After graduating from Fryeburg Academy in 1948, he went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and later completed a Masters Degree in Engineering Administration from Washington Univer-sity in St. Louis.

After his U.S. Navy service during the Korean War, he spent 16 years with Monsanto Company. In 1971 Conrad returned to Fryeburg, and three years later became a partner in Western Maine Nurseries, a business his father had helped run since 1938. During this time he served a term as Vice-President of the Maine Christmas Tree Association. He retired from the Nursery in 1997.

Conrad was devoted to the whole Mount Washington Valley community. He volunteered his time and talents to a number of local organizations, including the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council, the Mulford Fund committee, Fryeburg Regional Airport Authority, Rotary and town committees. In recent years he spent many happy hours at the Fryeburg Fair as its Treasurer and a Trustee. But perhaps his greatest imprint was made on Fryeburg Academy. In 1986 he was elected to the Board of Trustees and a few years later began 11 years as its president. During his association with the Academy he saw the building of the Harry K. Eastman Science Center, the Bion T. Cram Library, the Gibson Athletic Center and Ada Cram Wadsworth Arena and the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center. A high school State champion runner, he took great interest in the Academy track and cross-country teams, and shortly before his passing he made sure the new renovation of the Academy track was installed according to Maine scholastic track and field standards and fenced for protection.

In addition to all of these contributions to the community, Conrad found time to serve his church in many capacities. And it gave him much joy to support his children, grandchildren and nephews in their academic, extracurricular and professional activities. Sarah never had to worry about his finding a hobby to keep him busy in retirement.

Conrad was predeceased by his first wife, Sylvia Ann, and his brother Clyde. He is survived by his wife Sarah of 45 years; three children from his first marriage, Cynthia Rae Eastman of San Luis Obispo, Calif., William K. Eastman of Winter Springs, Fla., and Peter Y. Eastman of Cape Coral, Fla.; Conrad and Sarah’s daughter Sandra Nager of Daphne, Ala.; his sister Diane Powell of Federal Way, Wash.; his brother Stephen Eastman of North Chatham, N.H.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Conrad’s life will be held in Fryeburg in the spring of 2012.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 35 Portland Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037 or to Fryeburg Academy, 745 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg, ME. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org