Reflections on Richard

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Family:

I wrote Richard a birthday letter telling him why I was grateful for him, as I wanted to ensure he knew what he meant to me. A summary of that letter: I'm so grateful for his ever-present goofiness and sense of humor, his caring nature, his ability to make, fix or build almost anything (once he'd convinced me!), his love of adventure & traditions, wanderlust for good vacations and experiences, and the life and home we'd built together for 25+ years. It wasn't always easy, but there was always love, respect, a genuine friendship and a commitment to Team Raedeke. We miss him terribly.Richard will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts. (Julie)

No words in the world can describe how much I love my dad. He made me who I am today - from introducing me to KU basketball when I was a couple of hours old, to the many games watched on TV and in person, and to the numerous times we watched Star Wars together. I thank him for every moment - the early morning wake-up calls, late night math homework arguments, and the hiking, skiing and sailing trips. I loved him for being the biggest goofball with the most gigantic heart, and I'm proud to call him my dad. He taught me to stand tall. (Anna)

Richard was always available for wise counsel, and my first call for help with: home improvement projects, computer and Internet questions, automobile problems, red wine choices, and many more. He was always ready, willing and able to share his wisdom. (Arlin/dad)

We always loved our trips to Colorado to visit Richard and family. We shared the love of the mountains and Richard made special plans to be sure we got to the Rockies. He loved sharing his many creative projects with us, such as his backyard fence, his rental property and the changes made to the Breckenridge house. He loved sharing his favorite restaurants with us from expensive foods to a good hamburger. However, the most important thing he shared was his love for Anna and her activities, such as ballet, musical performances and plays. It was our privilege to share his joys of life. (Judy/Mom & Dennis/Stepdad)

Richard was a wise and steady rock who made everyone in the room feel great when you were around him. Richard always was taking care of others first before taking care of himself. You cannot help but also think of his humor, love for KU, travel, family, friends, and good wine. A life well lived, with great class. (Robert/brother)

I was blessed to have Richard as my big brother for 53+ years. He was always looking out for me. In many of our younger year photos he has his arm around me. As adults he showed his loving care in so many practical and endearing ways. On my 40th birthday he invited me on vacation with his family and gave me a copy of a favorite (and quite rare) children’s book that we remember my mom reading to us. A man of few words but his legacy motto “It’s not about me” will mark me forever. (Beth/sister)

Richard was an amazing brother-in-law and uncle to Megan, Nicole and Allison. I don’t think there was anything he couldn’t do! Thanksgiving was by far my favorite holiday with the Raedeke’s enjoying quality family time, fine red wines selected by Richard and trying to come to a consensus as to which wine was the best! And of course I was always in trouble for feeding turkey to Abe or Zeus! Richard absolutely loved his family and friends and took time to wish me a happy birthday from he and Zeus (Zeus and I share the same birthday - June 17th to be exact)! Cheers to a life well lived. (Janelle/sister-in-law)

It is hard to believe that you are no longer here to help me with the most basic of tasks around my house. I was always in awe of how you looked at things around your house and would change them. One in particular was the window and door in your kitchen when you said “those are backwards” and switched them when you first bought the house. I will always remember your love of Thanksgiving dinner, the bottle of wine that would accompany it (and I am not a wine drinker except on that day), your love of the outdoors, and most of all, your love of your family. You will be missed, but never forgotten. (Bob, brother-in-law)

No words can describe our love for our Uncle, Uncle "Ree-erd." Nobody could say "Richard" as little girls so Uncle "Ree-erd" settled in place. In today's terms, he most certainly fits the definition of a (FUN)CLE, or a Fun Uncle! From the numerous family get-togethers, ski trips at the condo in Breckenridge, to sending us all the KU gear trying to convince us nieces "Rock Chalk" was the place to be, we will always remember his loving, caring, compassionate and goofy personality. His love for Thanksgiving and piling his plate a mile high, pouring the perfect glass of red wine to go with dinner and finishing the night watching football, his love for family and sports and no question KU, will always be remembered. (Megan, Nicole, &Allison/nieces)

I loved him like a son, and have many memories of when he was in Lawrence and would come by to do laundry, and have a bite to eat. (Aunt Ruth)

We love and miss Richard so very much. He was very special in doing our electrical work, what a handy man! The fun weekends we had in Breck, they were neat and irreplaceable. Here's to the infamous "WALT" wine!. Thank you Richard, we love you! (Walt and Ken/in-laws)

I wish I had spent more time with him – he always had a joke, or a laugh to share, and I loved his sense of adventure and fun. (Dan/cousin)

Rich was such a wonderful cousin! Lots of great memories! From his love of Colorado to KU, he was crimson and blue through and through! Loved his sense of humor, adventure, and wit! He will be dearly missed. (Jen/cousin)

Richard and I were in the same 6th grade in school and unbiased observers would probably describe us as polar opposite 2nd cousins: Richard was calm and wise while I was hyper and flighty. One project at school was to make a paper sack puppet play. Richard won the event by including conversations in French and we all sat there with dropped jaws and were thinking… wow, this quiet kid is really sharp and talented. (Allen/cousin)

Friends:

It was an undeserved honor and a privilege to be Richard’s friend and part of his family, to have him in my life for so many years, and to have him now in my heart with so many great memories.

Richard was one of the kindest, funniest, compassionate, most giving people I have ever had the privilege to call a friend. The way he lived his life was inspiring to me and so many others. I will always remember his smile, his compassion for life and the people around him, and his dedication to his work, his family and his friends. The world is a better place for having had him in it and it will not be the same without him.

We're grateful to have your family as our friends. I could not have picked a better family to be such a big part of my daughter's life.

The Raedeke Family has been my second family for over 8 years now. When I think of my time I spent with Richard, I think of unstoppable laughter. The inside jokes were plentiful, and the smiles were never ending. Richard was such a special person who taught me so much about the world and adventure. I will miss those moments dearly, and will cherish the ones I have forever.

Thank you for taking me under your wing, for welcoming me into your family, and for being my Colorado dad. Thank you for all the laughs, for being goofy with me, and most of all for being such a kind & dedicated father to Anna. A song for Richard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdizvm4ZVrM

It was truly a pleasure and a privilege to have known him; he enriched my life with his huge heart and kind, warm, welcoming spirit.

We are most grateful to call you a friend. You were there for us during the darkest hour of our lives, and for many of the joyful times as well. Count-less dinners, drinks, and hours of conversation. Breckenridge, skiing, sleigh ride and horse eye.

What an incredible human being we have lost.

Richard was a remarkable man, gifted in so many ways; always caring and concerned for others.

I had the opportunity to spend lots of time with Julie as a co-worker and good friend. In my business travel, I spent many many days in Denver and Julie and Richard always welcomed me into their home as family. Richard was a true family man and devoted husband to his wife and daughter and though its been quite a while since I saw him last, he left an indelible mark on me that I will cherish forever.

Condit:

See his remembrance page here:
https://condit.com/remembering-richard-raedeke/

Richard is the heart and soul of our company. Best man I’ve ever known…

I find myself reflecting on the outdoor parties that you and Richard threw for the company. The company was smaller. You two made us feel like a family.

One of Richard’s many questions asked when he interviewed me was to name my favorite boss and why. I can quickly answer that now with his name to anyone who might ask in the future. He taught me so much about being a strong, yet compassionate leader.

Friends, colleagues, my brother for nearly 30 years. In reflection I wonder if I found him or he found me. We met, talked a bit and just like always asked when he could start. My life, my company would have never been what it was without him. He leaves a high standard of excellence and an indelible mark on my life. Love you bro...

Neighbors:

I know it's a small thing, but one of my favorite memories of Richard is HEARING him in the neighborhood. I live across the street and on just about any halfway-nice day you might hear Richard out in front of his house goofing around with someone...usually Anna or one of the kids from the block. I don't picture Richard as an especially loud guy, but he loved to have fun with people, and I will miss the sound of him having fun. It won't seem like summer without hearing and seeing him out on the front lawn with a nice beer in his hand.

I have many memories watching Richard being a dad and loving it – Easter egg hunts, Labor Day bike parades, microbrews on the front lawn with neighbors, getting his boat ready for summer...

Richard was such an extraordinary man. He was one of those rare gems who lived every part of his life with amazing gusto and joie de vivre. I feel so fortunate to have had him as my neighbor – and more importantly, my friend – for these 20+ years.

Richard was the gold standard of being a great neighbor, friend, father, and husband. Every time I saw him, he took time out of his day to say hello and genuinely ask how everything was going. His cheerful smile and laugh will be missed.

Richard was always so kind and welcomed us on the street with open arms.

I feel like there is one less star in the sky now. He leaves such a legacy of love, joy, humor, and selflessness. We are all better for having known him.

When I moved in, Richard was the first person to come knock on the door, introduce himself, and welcome me to the block. There was a tree branch that was dangling over my car and he cut it down for me right away. I will always associate my first memories of Sherman street with his kind and smiling face.

We are sharing memories and feeling such gratitude for Richard’s presence in our lives.