Conrad R. Leikauf, Esq.

Registered Patent Attorney

July 16, 1946 - October 28, 2024

With deepest sorrow, we regretfully announce the passing of Conrad R. Leikauf, Esq., 78, of Branchburg, on Monday, October 28, 2024. He passed peacefully away in the company of his closest Family, while holding his Wife's hand.

Conrad and Margaret welcomed their son, Conrad on July 16, 1946. Losing her Husband after a long illness when their Son was just 5 years old. She inculcated in her Children strong values and faith in God by her example. Conrad always appreciated her teaching him to read before he entered school.

Conrad began weight-lifting as a pre-teen at the local Boys' Club, and never lost its joy. A graduate of Bishop Loughlin Archdiocese High School, concern for others led him to volunteer to help in re-programming the limbs of a polio-stricken child.

Conrad enlisted with the US Army at the height of the Vietnam War, serving until his Honorable Discharge. While stationed in Korea, Conrad studied Aikido and Tai Quan Do, earning black belts in both. At home, he continued martial arts studies and, due to his proficiency, was often asked by his Sensi to teach lower classes.

Conrad enjoyed Rally Car driving with his friend, John. A fond memory after discharge was driving cross-country with friends including Terry and John. They remained close for over 50 years.

After Service, Conrad resumed his AT&T Longlines career, coordinating radio and TV broadcasting. He would call his future Bride from work, playing Irish Soccor games for her. He was instrumental in setting up the 1978 Ali-Spinks Fight. Conrad worked many years in electronics including as a Scientific Engineering Program Analyst.

Conrad graduated from the prestigious Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute of NY, now part of NYU, with his degree in Physics.

Conrad loved to cook. His Thanksgiving bread, eclairs and "Glop" are legend. They had a tradition that whoever was free would make dinner. As he was a great cook, AnnMarie always managed to be busy.

Deeply believing in education, Conrad gave multiple presentations on Patents and Intellectual Property to local schools. As an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, he gave pro bono lectures on federal and state firearms laws and safety. Conrad once audited Organic Chemistry for sheer knowledge. Brilliant, a Mensa Member, Conrad was teaching AnnMarie electronics. Now, that shows patience!

Conrad and AnnMarie met in 1974 while both served as volunteer uniformed Officers with the NYC Auxiliary Police. He was her first Partner. That Partnership blossomed.

A Lieutenant with over a decade of service when they moved to New Jersey, Conrad wrote the first NYC Auxiliary Police Patrol Guidelines and was in charge of an Auxiliary Satelite. Conrad received NYPD's Award of Valor, its highest award, for risking his own safety to assist a Regular Officer being assaulted.

Conrad told AnnMarie that he was WSYWIG - what you see is what you get, no pretense. They began with .5 dates, going for coffee after duty. At the time, Conrad was working at his high-pressure job, studying physics at night, and volunteering. Dates began after midnight, seeing a movie, returning her to her home, then returning to work. They have been closest friends and in love since they met. Married on September 21, 1975, they celebrated their 49 years together, sharing ice cream cake, laughter and their love. They were inseparable, sharing adventures, laughter and their lives. As his Mom often said, "As God made them, He matched them!"

Conrad was always about finding solutions. When AnnMarie began losing her sight, he didn't sit back and complain. He said, "All right, let's see what we can do." So in 1988, the couple decided Conrad would attend law school. He was recruited by Franklin Pierce Law Center, known for its Patents and Intellectual property program, now part of UNH.

On passing the US PTO's Bar Exam, which requires a hard science degree, and with his JD, the couple returned to New Jersey and began practicing law together in 1992. Veterans Law for AnnMarie, Conrad with Intellectual Property and Business, together 24 hours a day and loving it!

In his first US CAFC case, Conrad's physics background shown through. His Brief was an equation, leaving the only solution a win for his Client. The favorable decision overturned hundreds of cases and is still good law. As a US CAFC Bar Member, Conrad gave many years of pro bono service, particularly to its Veterans Program. He received an Award acknowledging his dedicated service to this program.

Conrad was a long-time Barrister Member of the Liffland Inns of Court, an IP Federal Bar association, where he was well-liked and respected. He and friends often shut down the building, discussing wide-ranging topics far after the meetings end.

Volunteering as an NJ Court-appointed Mediator, Conrad is admitted to several State and Federal Bars, including New Jersey; the 3d Circuit; Pennsylvania; Washington, DC; the US CAFC; the US CAVC; and the US PTO.

Conrad loved broadening his horizons, his mind always working. Everything fascinated him, from online TED Lectures, to music, from animals to Technology. He loved to read, and would often point out something interesting while he and AnnMarie enjoyed TV together. He also enjoyed intricacies of financial matters.

Conrad was a proud Member of the American Legion and a lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He volunteered at Middlesex County's Operation Stand Down.

Conrad was an extremely hard worker, but never lost the joy and happiness of that young man that traipsed cross-country with his friends, drove around hoping to discover a new road with AnnMarie, or danced the Minuet with her outside an Old Guard Ballroom Dinner after getting lost in Philadelphia.

Conrad loved to sing, play computer solitaire games. Conrad and AnnMarie would often sit in his office singing and listening to music. He loved to watch his beloved Ventures, enjoying their two drummers switching back and forth without missing a beat.

Conrad welcomed his Mother-in-Law, Ann into his home, regularly took her shopping, stayed with her during painful medical visits, shielding her from unnecessary pain.

Conrad loved driving. He, AnnMarie and their dogs went out every weekend, looking for roads they'd not seen before.

Conrad often stopped on the road to assist an injured animal, baby deer, or even a turtle. Finding abandoned baby bunnies, he brought them to a wildlife rescue.

Conrad enjoyed reading BranchburgCorn and American Legion Magazine jokes to AnnMarie, the sillier, the better. In his spare time, Conrad greatly enjoyed gardening, watching silly or informative vids on the web, reading on all topics not just law and science, listening to music ranging from the Ventures to Bagpiper flash mobs, often sharing these with AnnMarie.

Humble, Conrad never bragged, never held up his many accomplishments as great. He never wished to impose upon anyone, but always ready to help others. Conrad believed in the innate goodness of people, always looked for their best.

Quick to smile, and cheerful even when experiencing severe pain. He always looked forward to the future, including wanting to rescue a Great Dane.

Though suffering from very painful conditions. Conrad never complained, was always cheery and polite, particularly to care-givers. He never wanted to complain about anyone. Even when things were very rough physically for him, Conrad never failed to smile and give compliments and thanks to care-givers, and try to make his AnnMarie smile.

Conrad loved animals, particularly dogs, and was adored by his Wife's Seeing Eye dogs, all of whom would rather follow him around than go with her. When Indy first came home, he ignored our retired Kyle, ran straight to Conrad, grabbed his sleeve, growled, danced, then jumped into his lap for happy hugs.

Conrad was a loyal, honorable and good man with a wild sense of humor. All who knew him, saw a good and remarkable man, a good and gentle man who was willing to fight for others and things in which he believed. He dearly and passionately loved his Family, his Country, his Wife and his Community.

Conrad's beloved total mix Jersey City rescue, Gypsy, (Little Guy) loved being on Conrad's lap, hanging out in his Office, and gently lifting treats from his printer table. He will surely lead the pack in welcoming Conrad to Heavan.

Conrad was well-loved by his Family and Friends. As one close Friend often remarked, Conrad has a kind and gentle heart.

Conrad Leikauf was a remarkable man, a good and gentle spirit who was willing to fight for things that he believed in. Strong character, kind heart, dry sense of humor. All with a quick and sweet smile. He was cherished and is deeply missed.

Conrad is survived by AnnMarie, his loving Wife of 49 years, and Indy, her Seeing Eye dog who adored his Pack Leader, always insisting to be near him for cuddles, rubs or just closeness.

Conrad is also survived by his loving Sister Margaret Elliott, his loving Sister-in-Law Barbara Mulcahey, his many cherished Nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his Dad, Conrad, his Mom, Margaret, who passed at 103, his Mother-in-Law Ann, who adored him, and Thomas, his beloved Brother-in-Law.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 3-7pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08866.

A prayer service will begin at the funeral home on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 9:15am. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville at 10am. Committal is private.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest making a donation to St. Huber's Animal Welfare Center, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, the Seeing Eye, Inc., or a Charity of your choice.