Russell Traverse Radcliffe
March 23, 1939 - June 13, 2023
Bradenton, Florida - Russell T. Radcliffe of Bradenton, FL, was born on March 23rd, 1939 and died on June 13th, 2023 at the age of 84. Born in Greenville, SC, he moved with his family to Anna Maria Island in 1946. He worked as an A & P mechanic, having attended Embry Riddle School of Aviation in Miami, FL. in 1960. The highlights of his working career being: working for Cavalier Aircraft, as the president of their Merlin Engine Shop, at the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport, restoring P-51 Airplanes; driving log truck for Spencer Logging, in Crawford, CO.; working for Rienhard Machine Shop in Paonia, CO as their hydraulic specialist, maintaining equipment for the local coal mines. Later in his career, he taught heavy equipment mechanics for a Technical Vocational Institute in Albuquerque, NM.
He married Glena Snyder in 1963, moving west with her to Albuquerque, NM. in 1964 and working there for Rust Tractor Caterpillar. They returned to Florida in 1967 and lived in Bradenton, FL., becoming a father with the birth of his two daughters while living there. He then moved the family to Colorado where they lived for 25 years until moving to New Mexico where he then retired.
He retired in 2006, dividing his retirement years between Arizona and Colorado up until 2019 when he returned with his wife to Florida to live in Sarasota/Bradenton until his passing.
His hobby and passion in life, was restoring Ford Mustangs and showing them.
He is survived by his wife, Glena Radcliffe, of Bradenton, FL; his daughter, Melanie McCabe, of Whitewater, CO, his daughter, Lori Meyers, of Ashburn, VA; his granddaughter, Brittany Ott, of Phoenix, AZ; and his brother, Richard Kermode, of Terra Ceia, FL.
The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for him, on Anna Maria Island, in August. Date and address pending.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to:
Unity School of Christianity
1901 N.W. Blue Parkway
Unity Village, MO 64065-0001

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bradenton Herald on Jun. 24, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Radcliffe

2 Entries

Melanie McCabe

August 20, 2023

My dad meant the world to me and I miss him dearly! He was a loving, caring father and gave me and my sister a beautiful upbringing. What I wouldn´t give to hug him one more time and let him know what he meant to me! I love you dearly daddy! Always your "Sweetheart", Melanie

Mark Ratliff, Sarasota, Florida

June 27, 2023

Sad but good news. Russell T. "Rusty" Radcliffe has departed the local air-traffic pattern of our shared lives - in this earthly life - for a Glorious Destination - and Endless Horizons flying in Perfect Weather with Unlimited ceilings and visibility. Rusty was cleared for takeoff and was wheels-up in Bradenton, Florida, at 9:30 p.m. on June 13, 2023. He was 84.
Many people knew Russ during his life, and I am privileged and honored to say that he was a part of my family´s life from my very first memories back to around three years old.
My Uncle Russ served in a number of important capacities during his earthly life, none greater than devoted and beloved son, brother, cousin, husband, father, grandfather, nephew, uncle and friend to all. A man of many skills and talents, it is always his smile, his sparkling blue eyes, that hearty laugh of his that was uniquely his signature persona that will Always be in our collective heart, soul and mind.
To me, he was all these things. And always, to me, he was an aviator. A pilot.
A pilot´s pilot. I mean, no one flys his first solo after only four hours of instruction! That is, no pilot I ever knew was such a natural stick-and-rudder man as Russ. As pilots we fly with our mind and intellect, but it is the heart, soul and passion that makes a pilot an aviator - we fly with our mind, but we aviate with our heart.
The first rule that a pilot learns is that in a difficult situation the first thing is to fly the airplane, that is keep the wings level, and work on a solution for a successful landing. The bravest aviators never stop flying the plane even when they know that the landing is not going to turn out well. Rusty flew his life´s airplane and never quit trying to find a solution for a good landing. When he saw the landing here on earth was not going to be possible because his aircraft - his earthly body - was just too badly damaged now, he dealt with that situation bravely and decided to stay with the airplane all the way to the ground - always flying the airplane - and in doing so setting an honorable and courageous example for all of us.
Yes, it is a very sad day for all us, but those of us who will always love him are in equal parts happy that Russell T. is flying a new airplane, healthy, happy, and doing a perfect victory roll knowing that we we will carry on to bring honor to his Mission as we head to that point in our own lives when one day we, too, will find ourselves out of altitude and airspeed, and we earnestly hope that when it is our time our courage and honor will shine through just as Rusty´s did. This is his legacy that he left us, and we vow to acquit ourselves courageously in honor of that legacy we have been bequeathed by Russ.
Russ, I am bereft of further words, so allow me to salute you in the most meaningful way I know, and I know all who read this are standing and saluting you in this flyover,
Captain Russell T. Radcliffe:
https://youtu.be/pe7w0WTkt2Y
I will always remember your smile and your sparkling blue eyes, and all the wonderful times we had together. Thank you Russell T., it was an honor "life-flying" with you, sir!
Love you, and Always your wingman,
Mark

Photos below, from top to bottom:

Russell T. "Rusty" Radcliffe (March 23, 1939 - June 13, 2023), enjoying a wonderful day with family and friends at the Ouray Brewery, Ouray, Colorado.

- John Gillespie Magee Jr. (1941)