Col. Richard Radtke, US Army Retired

Col. Richard A. Radtke, US Army Retired, age 86 of Highland, IL, died Sunday, September 23, 2012, at his residence in Highland, IL. He was born on Tuesday, April 20, 1926, in Oak Park, IL, the son of Richard H. and Ethel M. (nee Berkland) Radtke. He married Florence L. Radtke (nee Foleno) who passed away on Monday, October 12, 1998. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He was also a member of Retired Officers Association; Delta Sigma Pi; Oak Park -River Forest Association for the Retarded Services. Richard was born in Oak Park, IL and graduated High School in 1944 and joined the US Marine Corps. He served with the 1st Marine Division in the Solomon Islands and took part in the invasion of Okinawa. At the end of the War, he served in North China for occupation duty. He was discharged in September of 1946 as a Corporal. He then attended the University of IL, graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Industrial Management, and attended ROTC. He was then commissioned as 2nd Lt. Infantry in the US Army. In 1951 he was called into active duty, and served in Korea. In the early 1950's he aquired his commercial Pilot\'s License. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1977, and retired after 30 years of commissioned service. After his military career he had worked for McDonnell & Miller ITT as Senior Industrial Engineer, NI-TEC Inc. as Plant Industrial Engineer, Playskool Inc. as Corporate Supervisor of Quality Control, Warwick Electronics as Staff Industrial Engineer, Zenith Radio Corp. as Supervisor Industrial Engineer, and Beltone Hearing Aid Co. as Methods and Time Study Supervisor. He retired at age 62 and loved in Oak Park, IL and was very active in his church, St. Peter\'s Lutheran Church in Forest Park, IL. He enjoyed and supported the Symphony, and Opera. He and his wife also traveled to Europe many times and Alaskan Cruises. He loved to fish in Minnesota, and moved to Highland in 1992. Survivors include: Daughter - Ellen L. (William A.) Nettles, Highland, IL Daughter - Annette L. Sczcesny, River Forest, IL Daughter - Paula A. (James) McCabe, Chicago, IL Grandchild - William R. (Sarah) Nettles, Glen Carbon, IL Grandchild - Jonathan A. Nettles, Highland, IL Grandchild - Daniel J. Sczcesny, Brookfield, IL Grandchild - Meghan L. McCabe, Chicago, IL Grandchild - Patrick James McCabe, Chicago, IL Grandchild - Nora R. McCabe, Chicago, IL Sister - June A. Hedberg, Whitey, NE He was preceded in death by: Father - Richard H. Radtke Mother - Ethel M. Radtke nee Berkland Wife - Florence L. Radtke nee Foleno died 10/12/1998 Sister - Ethel A. Bill

Col. Richard Radtke, US Army Retired

April 20, 1912 - September 23, 2012