David Radmore

David Radmore
April 9, 1927 - January 18, 2021
David was born in Eugene, Oregon, the son of John and Mary Radmore. He had an older brother John (deceased), and sister Barbara. From childhood he loved personal challenges and realizing dreams. He believed that, "If something is worth dreaming about, it was worth doing." So he worked on realizing his dreams. He expanded his athletic abilities in football, basketball, and track, and his love of cycling. Dave was taught to play the tuba. He performed with his high school and college bands. Years later Dave learned Dixieland Jazz and performed with different groups.
The war with Japan began while Dave was in high school, and following graduation he joined the U.S. Navy, and served on a battleship. When the war ended, Dave attended Lewis & Clark College, near Portland, Oregon, with plans to earn a teaching credential. But after two years, he needed funds to continue, and joined the Oregon State Police as a motorcycle officer. While patrolling in the hills one night, he saw headlights against a tree in a hollow at the side of the road. The car was badly damaged and he radioed for help, then climbed down and found two men trapped in the car. Fortunately neither was injured, and Dave recognized one of them as the actor, Jimmy Stewart. They spoke briefly, until help arrived, then David left to continue his assigned route.
Several months later, while off duty, he was motorcycling along the slopes of Mount Hood when he saw numerous vehicles at the side of the road, and stopped. When he walked up the slope to check for a possible problem, he realized there was filming in progress. Suddenly he heard a man shout his name, and then announce to the gathering, "That man saved my life!" The filming stopped for a brief reunion before Dave left to continue his ride.
After two years with the police, a dream was realized: a year of cycling, hitchhiking, adventure, and meeting new friends in Europe. But when Dave arrived in Paris, it was bitter cold, and he sought a warmer climate. He learned of job openings in Morocco, where the American Air Force was building a new airbase. Dave applied and was hired to manage the base warehouse. During the next 10 months, he invited an Arabic family to live with him and he learned basic Arabic. Two months later it was time to return to the States and complete his teaching degree.
In the fall, when Dave received his credential, a classmate invited him to go to Stockton, California to teach youngsters to swim. One of the children's mother was a teacher at Franklin High School in Stockton, and suggested that Dave might like to apply for a teaching job. He applied and was hired to work at Franklin High School. On his first day of teaching, as he walked to his class, he passed the art room and was welcomed by the art teacher, Ruth Audrey Turnbull, across the hall from his room. After school he went over to thank her for the welcome, and as they visited, booth realized how much they had in common. After four months of dates, including cycling together, and sharing their passions for travel and adventure, they got married. They spent their 14-month honeymoon cycle camping in Europe and Tangiers. Once they returned they bought a home of their own.
On another sabbatical leave, they travelled by motorcycles, camping around the world, including Europe, North Africa, West Africa, South Africa, and Australia. During yet another sabbatical leave, they joined the Peace Corps, and were based in Nigeria where they taught at the Women's Training College. While there, Dave also trained some of the Nigerian Olympic track and field athletes.
Dave and Ruth spent nearly 63 years of dreams realized that included traveling around the world, getting their pilot licenses, and writing several books, based on his life, adventures, and close relationships, including Honed Virtue. They had friends from 17 countries, that spanned his entire life, and there were students that stayed in touch right up to the end. Dave made a friend of all he met.
He was invited by one of his guests, a Russian doctor of English studies, to act as resource consultant on Russian American relations and American culture at the American Center of Linguistic University in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia and to business groups, educators and a class of second grade students.
On January 3rd, 2020 Dave suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right side. He went home for recovery and received at-home nursing care.
On January 18th, 2021, after a conversation with Ruth about how wonderful his life has been, and wondering "What's next?" Dave peacefully and with a smile on his face left this world. He is survived by his wife Ruth and sister Barbara.
Dave was a very philosophical and kind person who knew no strangers. His philosophies included: "Enjoy each day," "If you can't think it through, you certainly can't worry it through," and, "Life is a joyous adventure, particularly when you have a lovely companion with whom to share it." David led a very full and joyous life and will be missed, but there's no doubt he's already onto to his next adventure!