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Stephen Bruce Radke

Stephen Radke Obituary

Stephen Bruce Radke, 49, of Fripp Island, South Carolina, died Thursday,October 28, 2010 as a result of a plane crash in Aiken County, S.C. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of David Bruce Radke and Claire Stephens Bartlett. Steve lived most of his life in North Carolina working for their family business. In 2009, Steve, Kim and Otto realized their dream of starting a jet ski business and living full time on Fripp Island, S.C. He is survived by his wife, Kim Howard Radke of Fripp Island, S.C.; his three children; daughter, Savannah; son Collin and step-son, Joseph; his brother, Mark Radke, sister, Linda Houston and four nieces, Boo Boo Kitty, 8-10, Jennifer and The Yak. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. at the Beach Club on Fripp Island and a second service will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 in Newton, North Carolina at First Presbyterian Church at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude's or Ronald McDonald House. Copeland Funeral Service is assisting the family.

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

Published by The Island Packet from Nov. 2 to Dec. 2, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Radke

21 Entries

The Nauti Otters!

Kim Radke

November 17, 2010

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments about Steve. I cannot tell you how proud and honored I am to be Steve's wife and friend. I have never known anyone who touched more people. Steve left us all better people for having known him. I am back on Fripp, trying to find my way through the tears and the pain, reminding myself every day, that I will be with Steve again. My life is forever changed; not only because of Steve, but because of all of you. Thank you all for your love and friendship. Kim Radke

Molly Mac Donald

November 15, 2010

Brotha Steveeee, sista Kimmm! I have had so much love for you both from the first time we met. From making our drinks stronger by adding a little extra from our personal bottle we kept under the table at my sisters wedding, to stretching out on the beach eating lunch at Snack Jacks. I always knew you two were the perfect couple, having so much fun and always sharing good times with anyone and everyone. I fell in love with Steves "Spicoli-esque" style of speech, turning a simple 'Hey, what's goin on' into a painfully huge smile on my face. There were still so many things I wanted us all to do together. When we lost another close friend of ours, Steve realized life was too short not to have a good time and he took advantage of every great opportunity with his loving *partner in crime* Kim. Losing Steve still does not seem real. I will forever cherish EVERY memory I have with he and sista Kim. I will keep you both in my mind and in my heart every day, forever. I love you both.

Bronson & Jo Ann Everman

November 12, 2010

We feel so fortunate and blessed to have known you and Kim for what would be a short time but felt like we'd always known you. You will be missed and remembered.

Lowcountry Mother (Tee) & Al Cooper

November 12, 2010

A little girl once described sympathy as "your pain in my heart". Kim, Mark, Dave, Collin and Savannah, you have our deepest sympathy in the loss of my lowcountry boy. Let us remember the smiling, the laughing, the talking, the sharing, the caring. Let us remember a wonderful life and how ours was touched by knowing him.

The "Who Cares" Crew

November 10, 2010

November 9, 2010

We keep thinking the phone is going to ring and it will be Capt. Steve saying it was just a joke and he'll be stopping by in a few minutes with Otto and some Thai take-out. It still hurts too much to think he is gone -- he's left us for the ultimate adventure. Those of us who knew him well know Heaven's Gates blasted open when he arrived and he's doing his best to keep it lively up there until it's our time to rejoin him up above. We love you Steve. Life down here won't be the same without you.

Kelly, Dr. Bob, Anna & Clementine (Otto's sista)

Steve, Brian Mike and William Fripp Fishing!

Brian O'Connor

November 5, 2010

I am very fortunate to be able to say I was on of Steve’s many friends. I have known Steve for a long, long time … but not nearly long enough. He an I got into many fun situations scuba diving, dirt bike riding, Harley riding, jet skiing, boating, fishing, snowboarding, white water rafting, bug sprayer parties, shooting guns, spear fishing (boy do I have a Steve story to share on one trip!), exploring North and South Carolina … hell – even just going to lunch together ended up in a near arrest or making life long friends.
The best single word to describe Steve is FUN! He turned anything into an adventure. We would meet to go somewhere, and I’d hear “O’Connor Dude” (he never called anyone by their full name} I’ve got a little something for the trip- never knowing what was up, I’d very nervously look- and he would be standing there with that half smile, half snicker and have prepared some sort of contraption to either drink, blow up something, or get 50 more horsepower out of what we were going to drive to make it a trip to remember. Every trip, adventure, encounter with Steve was a trip to remember. I have many scars to prove it also! He has duck taped my thumb together, wrapped my arm up in his T-shirt and sticks in the past to get to a doctor (although he always wanted to staple or fix what was wrong himself) and coutless other injurys. He loved life, his wife and family, and his friends. He was the something extra in life, and we will all miss him very- very much. I will never have a friend again like Steve, and I experienced life so much more because I was fortunate enough to be … one of Steve’s friends! Love you man, Brian O’Connor, AKA- O’Connor Dude

Kristen Wilkinson

November 5, 2010

Little Brother Steve will be so greatly missed by us in Florida. I could always count on his sense of humor and crazy antics whenever we would get together...he was the true "one of a kind" for me and I will always be greatful that he was part of my life. My love to Mark & Dave and the family; my prayer is that you'll find comfort knowing how well he was loved by so many.

Amy Self

November 4, 2010

Mark,
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Steve was a great person who was always kind. Even after not working with you guys for years he always spoke when we ran into each other.

Van Bolick

November 4, 2010

Steve a a great person and friend. We will miss seeing him. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kim and his family.

We were blessed to know Steve, he will always live in our hearts.

Bill & Liz Mac Donald~

November 4, 2010

Kim made Steve very happy !

Bill & Liz Mac Donald~

November 4, 2010

Steve always had a smile and made every time a good time !

Bill & Liz Mac Donald~

November 4, 2010

Steve's happy smaile at our daughte wedding !

Bill & Liz Mac Donald~

November 4, 2010

Angie & Dave Laycock

November 3, 2010

What a wonderful life Steve led. Short as it may have been, it was full of vigor, love, laughter and excitement. We were all so blessed to have known him and call him a friend. Our prayers are for his family in this difficult time. God bless you Brotha Steve!

Donny and Amber Brown

November 3, 2010

Having the opportunity to call Steve Radke a friend was and is a blessing. His drive for life, thrill for adventure and the aches that you experienced from laughing so hard will forever be missed. We will always remember him and he will never be fogotten.

Michael Thrower

November 2, 2010

Steve was one of the most giving and fun person anyone could ever know, He always wanted his friends to have as much fun and excitement in life as he did, Riding Motorcycles,Snowboarding, Scuba Divng, Fishing, Boating, Riding Jet Skis, What ever it was it was always an adventure with Steve and it always brought good people together. Many of my friends became Steves freinds over the years and everyone always remembered meeting him and having such a great time. I have so many funny stories that come to mind from many of our wild and crazy adventures with Steve. I will always remember all of the fun times and adventures with Steve Radke. Mike Thrower Charlotte, NC

Misty Hughey

November 1, 2010

Knowing Steve was great!! He came in the office I worked at, and was always so much fun and gave the office so many laughs!! My heart goes out to his family, he will be missed and the world will be a lesser place without him!!

November 1, 2010

We really cannot express our sadness. Steve was such a very special person. We loved him so--his smile, his warmth, his kindness, his generosity, his fun loving nature, his hospitality, his ability to make everyone feel at home and welcome. His talents and skill around the water were amazing. We always felt safe and secure when Steve was on the docks! Steve and his family (Kim, Mark, Dave and the children and extended family) all made us feel like "family." We are praying constantly for all of you. We love you so much. He will be GREATLY missed. God Bless you and hold you in his loving arms and give you peace.
All our love to a very special family,
Jimmy, Mary, Katie and Taylor Anderson
949 Johns Rd
Augusta, Ga 30904

Karen Lake

October 31, 2010

My heartfelt sympathy to Steve's family. I used to see Steve when he made regular sales calls to Hi-Tech Fuses. His smile and good humor will be remembered always. May God's grace comfort his family and all who knew him at this difficult time.

Stormy Lancaster Ford

October 31, 2010

Knowing Steve was a true pleasure, vibrant and full of life is how he will be remembered. I consider myself fortunate for our paths to have crossed in this lifetime. My heart goes out to the family and I will remember you all in my daily prayers.

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