Loyal Curtis “Rad-Dad” Radtke
May 19, 1920 – December 13, 2015
Loyal Curtis "Rad-Dad" Radtke, 95, of Wyomissing, Pa., died Dec. 13, 2015, at The Highlands of Wyomissing.
His wife, Genevieve Wiggins Radtke, died on Sept. 27, 1989; they were married on Aug. 24, 1946.
Born in Nerstrand, Minn., he was a son of the late Charles Ferdinand and Carrie Ann (Lindberg) Radtke.
Loyal was attending the U.S. Navy Midshipman’s School at Columbia University, N.Y., at the start of World War II. As a Lt. JG he was second in command of a weather ship in the Pacific Theatre during the Battle of Midway.
Loyal was a graduate of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he played baseball. He played semi-pro baseball in Kenyon, Minn., followed by a stint for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Loyal worked as a librarian for the Minnesota School of the Blind during this time.
Loyal moved to Reading in 1947 where he earned the position of general manager of the Hopper Paper Company expanding his oversight to numerous locations. Georgia Pacific Corporation purchased the company in the late 1960’s, and Loyal became the president of three plants before retiring in 1987.
Loyal was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing.
He was the oldest living golf member of the Berkshire Country Club, where he was a member for 66 years.
Loyal loved sports, especially baseball and golf. His favorite phrases were “peachy keen fine family,” and “that’s a dandy.” He loved life and was a positive person, a member of the greatest generation that our society greatly misses. Loyal loved his family and especially adored his grandchildren.
He is survived by two children: Jennifer Curtis Radtke Noll, widow of Irwin Robert Noll, Wyomissing; and Jonathan Loyal, husband of Julie Kull Radtke, Ft. Collins, Colo.; and four grandchildren, Stephanie Wiggins Noll, Charlotte, N.C.; Tyler Curtis Noll, Philadelphia; Paige Elizabeth Radtke, Irvine, Calif., and Meredith Claire Radtke, Boulder, Colo.
He was predeceased by three siblings: Victor, Ethel and Justice.
A Celebration of “Rad-Dad’s” Life will be announced at a later date. Inurnment in Atonement Columbarium will be private.
Reflecting “Rad-Dad’s” love of golf and young people, the family requests that contributions be made in his name to The First Tee, Inc. an international non-profit organization that reaches young people ages 5-18 through golf instruction and life skills lessons administered at chapters, military installations, and to students in elementary schools. Please send contributions to The First Tee, World Golf Village, 425 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, Florida 32092, Phone: (904) 940-4300 Fax: (904) 940-1556. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.
