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Christopher Radok Obituary
'Kodar'
Chris Radok, 55, of Charlotte, died at his home on Monday, January 10, 2011.
Chris was born on November 18, 1955 in Melbourne, South Australia and grew up in 'the greatest city in the world,' NYC (Queens), where he graduated from Francis Lewis High School in 1973. He migrated to Asheville, NC and worked for Girmes, the American factory of a German textile manufacturer, before returning to Long Island, NY to attend a Technical College. In 1985, Chris moved to Charlotte.
Throughout his life, Chris touched many people. He could be described as unique, authentic, supportive, hard working, reliable, opinionated, and tolerant - a positive force, a loyal friend. He had a goofy smile and a great sense of humor, a sense of integrity and a strong work ethic. You never knew where or when he would pop up, but when he did, he would always take the time to stop and talk to you.
Chris wrote that he was 'living the dream.' He had been working at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte as an engineer since 2009 and recently won the Employee of the Year Five Star Award. He was due to be promoted this week. Throughout his life, Chris has also worked as an auto mechanic, machinist, maintenance technician, carpenter, and as 'Gustav' with the rock group Unknown Hinson. But he will best be remembered for his work with Creative Loafing. From 1994-2006 Chris worked as a photographer and a photo editor, both full-time and freelance. During this time he photographed numerous people and places around Charlotte. His portfolio is extensive, and through his favourite fisheye lenses, documents two decades of the local music scene. He felt very fortunate to be able to be making a living doing what he loved most. Photography had been a part of his life since he was born, an interest that was first sparked by his father.
Even though photography was his first love and what he was known for, Chris had many other interests that he pursued with a passion. He loved NASA, skating, Porsches and old Volkswagens, all kinds of music, the SR-71, biographical and historical books, motor sports, urban mountain biking, decorating and home improvement, and Ovaltine.
He is survived by his father, Peter Radok (Monika) of Lobberich, Germany, one brother, Uwe (Louise) of Bedford, England, and a niece, Joanna Radok. His mother, Flo, predeceased him in 2006.
The funeral will be on Thursday, January 20th at Carolina Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 5505 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. Visitation will be from 6:30 -7:30pm followed by a eulogy and remembrance service at 7:30 pm, officiated by his brother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the 'Fund for the preservation of Chris Radok's work.' Details can be obtained from Jacqueline Heer [email protected].
Online condolences may be sent to www.carolinafuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Radok
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
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Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Kathleen Valerio
January 20, 2020
Chris was my "across-the-street" neighbor, friend growing up in Flushing, Queens. Our mothers were longtime friends. God bless.
KATHY CHAPMAN SANDER
October 5, 2011
I just discovered on October 2nd that Chris is gone. My heart is broken and goes out to those who knew and loved him, especially his father Peter. I met Chris in the summer of 1978. I was 20 years old and my sister Liz (Dee Dee) would not stop talking about “this really cool guy… he drives this orange VW and knows so much about music... he loves VW Beetles like you do Kathy.” I do not have a Facebook page, but my daughter does. Sunday morning I discovered that Chris had passed. I spent the day in mute shock. Christopher Julian Radok was a dear friend and I loved him. Chris was a very deep, intuitive and loving soul. At times he would be moody & cantankerous. It was just his nature. But you could always count on him to be completely honest with you. He was highly intelligent with a great sense of humor, (very dry & sarcastic) -- but his smile and laugh could light up a whole room. He was the type of friend who would give you the shirt off his back, let you crash on his couch and give you his last handful of cash if he knew that you really needed it. His talent at photography was limitless, nurtured from a very young age. In 1978 often his bathroom served a dual purpose as a darkroom. Chris had a huge circle of friends because his personality and aura were just that magnetic. He was very athletic and fueled the whole late 1970’s skateboarding craze here in East Asheville as it migrated from Venice, CA across the US. Anyone who knew Chris in 1978 also knew who all the famous Venice California skateboarders were as well - he made sure of that. I have memories of sitting in a backyard in East Asheville watching Chris and many others risking life and limb on a homemade wood half-pipe wondering how in the world someone could be that skilled – and fearless. Chris was always on the cutting edge of what was *new* in photography – and music. At the time (late 1978), punk was just coming into vogue… I remember asking him if he had heard of the Sex Pistols. Chris grinned, said nothing, and then promptly produced a Dead Kennedys album on his turntable - hence introducing me to yet again something new. My fondest memory of Chris was when his father Peter visited from Germany. Chris was very nervous, he loved and respected his father and wanted so very much to make a good impression. Chris was the athletic/artistic type, always into something, so his apartment was – well it was the apartment of a busy 23 year old – messy. I helped him clean it up. Chris invited me over to his apartment the night his father Peter came to dinner, he wanted me to meet his father. Chris cooked everything, cleaned up and we had this lovely meal. It meant a lot to me that he felt I was worthy of meeting such an important man in his life. Now I look back and realize that my son Andrew Michael is the same age now as Chris was when I first met him – 23. Chris was one of the most powerful, magnetic, intelligent, funny, and loving men I have ever known. He will be missed. He is one of those people who leaves a hole when he is gone, one that will not ever be filled quite the same way again. Say hello to The Universe Chris. You will always be loved.
Chris Radok showing his photos to the ladies in his apartment in 1977.
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
Chris Radok in his apartment in Asheville in 1977. That fuzzy picture behind him is an ancestor of his.
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
Chris Radok driving in NYC in 1978.
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
Chris Radok and Paul Stanford in a Japanese Restaurant in NYC in 1978.
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
Chris Radok taking picture with Paul Stanford on the ground floor of the World Trade Center in 1978. Notice Chris has three legs.
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
Paul Stanford
July 27, 2011
I met Chris when he moved to Asheville in 1976. He was five years older than I, and he is my friend, and like a big brother and father figure to me. I had just moved to Asheville and Chris had just moved there from Germany. From 1976-1979, I spent time almost everyday with him. His background was fascinating: from being born in Australia with a British mother and German father who had fled Germany when Hitler took over in 1933, growing up in New York City and working for a German company on machines making velvet; he was a cultural treasure. I learned a lot about how to be a man from Chris. I learned a lot more from him too. Chris helped people. That was Chris. He never asked for much of anything. He was a man of honor, honesty and integrity, and without pretense. He was a good and eminently unique man. He was curious and hard working. We saw dozens of movies, listened to hundreds of albums, dated sisters, skateboarded and talked. He taught me how to drive, how to develop film negatives, and I went skiing for the first time with him. In 1978, when I was 18 and he was 23, I visited New York City for my first time with Chris, and stayed at his Mother's house for 3 weeks. I met many of his friends: huge Italian families and one Irish family with 15 kids who ate dinner in shifts and spoke Gaelic, and many others. He took me to many places I wanted to visit, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the World Trade Center, Central Park and more.. I miss him immensely, and I regret that I didn't get to see him in person in too many years, or to tell him how much he means to me. I just came from Charlotte and saw an art gallery show of some of his work, attended a memorial concert in his honor, the Radok Fest, and met and spent time with his friends. Blessings for Chris Radok!
Kenny Eckhardt
March 18, 2011
I just learned about Chris's passing, and I wanted to offer my condolences to all his friends and family. I met Chris when he was doing the 'Gustav' thing with Unknown Hinson. He was a very nice person and I'm sure he will be missed terribly.
Brenda Heywood
January 21, 2011
See you again one sweet day chris...RIP
Stephanie Judy
January 16, 2011
Rest in Peace Radok, you will not be forgotten. God Bless your soul!
Brenda Heywood
January 15, 2011
Rest In Peace Chris...
Thank you for all the great pictures and art work over the years.
You will never be forgotten.
Brenda Heywood
January 15, 2011
I always admired Chris and his wirk and his art. He was truly one of the best in Charlotte for sure.
Whenever i saw him at shows it was always fun to talk to him about photography ,it is a passion of mine too. After so many many years of seeing him and talking to him at so many different venues and shows
it is beyond sad that his talent is will no longer carry on and "what might have been".
I look forward to seeing his talent displayed in a gallery where it deserves to be.
It will be different not seeing him at shows anymore,i always looked for him when i went.
My deepest condolences to Chris's family for your loss.
May his talent and passion live on...Gone Too Soon.
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