Dr Brian Farmer Rader

On January 22, 2010, Dr. Brian Farmer Rader passed from this life at the age of 69 in Tahlequah, OK. Born December 31, 1940 in Washington, D. C., Brian, a polio survivor and Eagle Scout grew up in Denver, Colorado and graduated from West High.After graduating from Colorado State University 1964 with a B.A., he was awarded the first M.A. in Political Science at CSU in 1966. Brian completed a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Oklahoma in 1977. Dr. Rader has taught 43 years at Northeastern State University, inspiring many students to government service. In 1982 Brian earned the full rank of professor and chaired the Political Science Department for several years. The Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce recognized him with a Big T award. Then, Brian was elected to the Tahlequah City Council for 16 years, serving as Council President and Interim Mayor. Brian also served as a member and Chairman on the Tahlequah Hospital Board and was instrumental in new projects for the city and NSU.Brian worked with the Democratic Party coordinating campaigns, served as a Cherokee County Committeeman at State Democratic Party Conventions. Regionally, he served on the Eastern Oklahoma Development District Board for 16 years as a member and Chairman. Brian was active for 22 years in the Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club, a past president and became District 5 Lt. Governor. He was a president of the Oklahoma Conference of the American Association of University Professors and a member of Leadership Oklahoma in 1998 and the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals. He assisted with the U.S. Census in both 1980 and 2000. Brian received numerous awards for his work at NSU. In 1995 he was awarded Faculty Member of the Year for Community Service at NSU. In 2007 the Oklahoma State Legislature recognized Brian for having taught 13 current and former members of the Legislature. Also, in 2007 he was named Student Government Association Faculty Member of the Year for Teaching.In 2005 OPSA recognized him as Faculty Member of the Year for Teaching at Four Year Institutions. A member of the Oklahoma Political Science Association since 1967 and former president, Brian was recently asked to help produce a history of the group. In 2009 he published two papers in 'Oklahoma Politics.' In 2009 to commemorate the university's 100th Anniversary he was named an NSU Centurion.Brian was a dedicated husband and a loving father. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Lewis and Dorothy Rader. He is survived by his wife Deborah and four children Colonel Ace Shrum, USAF and wife Alisya; Shane Rader and wife Tammy; Melody and Patrick Reed; Matthew Rader; seven grandchildren: Devin, Lance, and Aliana Shrum, Trevor and Emma Reed; Madeline and Jackson Rader.A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the University Center Ballroom on the NSU Campus at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Visitation is at Hart Funeral Home, Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. Services are under the direction of Hart Funeral Home of Tahlequah. A Brian Rader scholarship fund has been established at the NSU Foundation.