Richard A. Raedeke

Richard was a loving husband, father, son, brother, son/brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, friend, neighbor and colleague. The world is a much better place for having had him in it... but he left us far too soon. He faced his illness as a problem to solve, and with grace and his sense of humor intact. 

 

I discovered some of his notes in the days since. One was that he would take on cancer head-on, but stated it would not define him. Another was that he was not going to feel sorry for himself (nor did he want others to do so), that he would be positive and try to enjoy time with us and make the best of the time he had left. 

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And he did, especially after entering hospice - with better controlled pain, and an end to his tube feedings. He was able to eat again! Scratch waffles that Anna made for him, favorite family dinners, and Italian and Indian take-out. He was able to share laughs, meals (and a beer or two!), joy, time in our beloved Breckenridge, and he taught Anna and I how to take care of things here. He even built one last project in our garage, a beautiful mantle from reclaimed wood that he and a friend installed at our place in Breckenridge in early June.

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We are thankful that he is no longer in pain or the discomfort that has been ever-present for more than a year, that Anna was home with us, and that hospice gave him some fine weeks to enjoy together and with family, and friends.  

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Richard leaves behind those who loved him:

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• Julie, Anna, Zeus and Abe (late furry firstborn)

• Judy & Dennis Baumann (mom, stepdad)

• Arlin & Liz Raedeke (dad, stepmom)

• Robert, Tanya, Jackson, Kierstin, Tessa & Grant (brother and family)

• Beth and Issac Gilana (sister, brother-in-law)

• Joe Raedeke (brother)

• Ken & Walt Nikle (father-in law, mother in-law)

• Bob, Janelle, Megan, Nicole & Allison (brother/sister-in-law and nieces)

• Aunts Ruth, Helen & Laura; Uncles Bob, Clyde, & Allen

• Kim and Michael Baumann (step-sister & step-brother)

• Numerous cousins

• Longtime friends who have become our family

• Our Sherman St community

• Our Condit community

• And many more...

Richard, Anna and I have built an amazing community from all walks of life - and for that we are grateful. Along the way, we've been encouraged, supported and cared for... and not just during the trying times of Richard's illness. 

 

Communities include not only family, but people from childhood, school, college, work, Anna's schoolmates and their families, neighbors and more.

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We thank you for the friendship, texts, calls, cards, flowers, plants, gifts, food, services, etc. 

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Per Richard's wishes, he was cremated. Anna and I have spread some of his ashes (along with some of our first dog Abe's) on the mountain in Breckenridge behind our place among wildflowers, and will continue to spread them in many places that he loved. Some here at our home, in Lawrence, and on trips to come - Maui and Italy come to mind, though he did leave us a 'bucket list" of places he wanted to explore.

Condit plans to plant a tree in his name next spring, and friends Kurt and Drew arranged a ceremony/columbarium dedication for him at Grace Lutheran Church in Boulder, where he spent a good number of his adolescent years and made lifelong friends.