Conrad Thompson Cordes, loved sea and history

Conrad Thompson Cordes, 71, of Lewes passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born Thursday, June 26, 1947, in Northampton, Mass., son of the late Warren and Christina (Graves) Cordes.

Mr. Cordes was raised in Gardner, Mass., and often summered in Chatham, Cape Cod throughout his life. He graduated from University of Massachusetts and, following his education, Mr. Cordes honorably served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard. After fulfilling his honorable service, he started his career with the University of Maryland Dental School as a laboratory scientist in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biological Sciences in 1975.

In 1999 he retired from his university position and purchased his Lewes home, which became his full-time residence in 2005. His love of the sea and history was channeled to his years of volunteering for the Lewes Historical Society as a docent for the Cannonball House, He also served as a board member and treasurer for the Shipcarpenter Square Home Owners Association. 

He and Bettina made travel a regular part of their schedule. Visits to Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic allowed him to revisit ports he had not seen since his military service. Chats with neighbors as he worked on his garden were a regular part of his day. Time with family and friends, and especially his personal trainers (his two grandsons), provided a rich and fulfilling life in Lewes.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cordes was preceded in death by his brother, William. He is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Bettina Lucy Lee; his daughter, Charisse Lee and her husband Kurt Herring of Dagsboro; his two grandsons: Marshall and Wyatt Herring; his sister, Christina Cordes of Austin, Texas; his nephew, Johnathan Sack and his wife Ashley of Hewitt, Texas; his great-nephew and two great-nieces; and numerous extended family members.

All services are private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Cordes’ memory to the Tunnell Cancer Center, Patient Special Needs Fund, c/o Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

Please visit Mr. Cordes Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.