DANIEL LUTHER RADER

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San Diego State University University of California| Berkeley

DANIEL RADER Obituary

RADER, DANIEL LUTHER Daniel Luther Rader, PhD., 85, died September 30, 2009, in San Diego, CA. He was born December 11, 1923, in Helena, MT, son of Ralph Dennis Rader and Elizabeth Klinefelter Rader. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II as 1st Lieutenant bombardier with 35 missions. Married Barbara Ann Green on June 25, 1949. A member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at UC Berkeley, Dan earned his PhD in history in 1953. He was Professor of History at San Diego State University for 32 years, chaired the History Dept. 1965 to 1968, wrote "The Journalists and the July Revolution in France" published in 1973 and received "Outstanding Faculty Award" in 1980. He enjoyed travel, hiking, gardening, and painting and was Guest Columnist for the Daily Californian Newspaper in 1983. He took one day at a time, found the good in others and believed "To be happy at home is the ultimate goal of all human ambition."(Dr. Samuel Johnson) Dan is survived by his daughters, Laura Rader (Marty Potashnick) of Escondido, CA, and Jill Hoffman of Sacramento; his granddaughters, Emily Potashnick and Elizabeth Hoffman; and nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Barbara Rader; brother, Ralph Rader II of Calif.; sister, Miriam Wiley of New York; and friend, Patricia Nardelli. The family plans a private service and requests donations to charity in Dan's name. Thanks to Amy Nardelli and Greg Rinden for their friendship and loving care.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Oct. 11, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for DANIEL RADER

Sponsored by Laura.

13 Entries

February 24, 2020

Dear Laura and Jill,
I often think of your Dad as I work on the letters that my Dad, Bill Hanchett wrote from the Army Air Force during World War II. These letters were found after he passed away in 2016.
I have fond memories of both your parents.
Sincerely,
Tom Hanchett, Carlsbad, CA

Bernard Dy

August 2, 2017

Dr. Rader,

I don't know why I thought of you today, but I did and was saddened to read of your passing.

You and your wife were instrumental in helping my mother when she first came to the US and for this my entire family is eternally grateful. In addition, you had us over for Thanksgiving a time or two when I was young and were kind hosts. I am remiss for not having kept in touch, but such accoutrements are not my strong suit, especially when distanced by time and geography.

Perhaps I thought of you because my mother and father both passed away recently. For mother it was cancer that took her too young, for father it was a mix of old age and heart issues.

I remember when I was curious about the military you'd cautioned me, explaining that it could be a hard life. I didn't realize you received a DFC! I respected your words and didn't join, though I never lost my respect for veterans and especially an interest in aviation history. If I'd been as into it back at that Thanksgiving as I am now, I'm sure I'd have pestered you endlessly with questions.

The world said goodbye to a good one when you left. My condolences to your surviving family and I am glad to have known you, even if was just a little. You and Barbara made the world a better place.

Thanks, and enjoy your peace.

Laura

November 11, 2012

Happy Veteran's Day to my WWII 8th Air Force 35-mission Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant Bombardier!

September 28, 2012

Still missing you, Dad. Marty passed away September 10 from cancer. I know you loved him, and you always counseled me to hang in there during the rough times in our marriage. Thank you.

Laura Rader

September 29, 2010

Dad,
It is a year since you left us. The hardest part is wanting to call you up and tell you something...something that you would enjoy, share a joke, brag about a minor personal triumph. I miss your sense of humor and your unconditional love. I miss hearing yoru opinions and comforting words. So this is the only way I have to share with you....you must be somewhere out there....
You would be happy and even amazed at how things worked out after you left us.....at the Estate Sale, many neighbors came and it seemed almost like a memorial to you, as even strangers offered condolences and praised your many books and maps and prints. A lovely elderly woman originally from Provence, France, bought several of your books written in French and gave us her address to contact her here for advice on good food and people to look up when we next visit France. A few more books went to Adams Booksellers and local libraries, and the rest I donated to the BookMan, who collects and distributes books to the needy in San D iego. He was good friends with Marty's aunt and Uncle when they lived in Chicago. We sold your Toyota to Emily'sbest friend, who promptly put a bumper sticker by the dent that reads "Where is Edward Cullen to pull out this dent?". I had the house repainted and recarpeted top to bottom and it looked great, I was so happy! We listed it with Roxanne, Brenda’s older sister and our childhood babysitter. She was a doll and we sold the house in 4 days! Better yet, we sold it to an SDSU geology major and his wife who intend to revive the fish pond and build an aviary! Jill and I divied up the good stuff - furniture, silver, china, music books. All in all, you left a very fitting legacy to many. I wish you could read the cards that came from all your friends. I miss you. Love, Laura

Laura

March 23, 2010

Dad,
It is spring, and your backyard is beautiful. Everyone who sees it is amazed. I promise to do my best to find new owners who will take good care of it, and appreciate how much you are still a part of it.

Elizabeth Hoffman

March 21, 2010

Grandpa,
Although I did not know you perhaps as much as I should have, I do know that you were a firm believer in education. Being in college myself now, I too am learning that learning is indeed the key to a great life, and that learning is a lifelong process. And I truly cannot thank you enough for saving your money for my education. Whenever I look at my degree, I will think of my grandpa - my grandpa who I really wish I could have gotten to know that much better.
Thank you, Grandpa Dan.

Laura

December 8, 2009

Dad,
I especially love Jill's last words.....that you helped us realize how big the world is...you were always in awe of it and at the same time, poking fun. Emily will have her opening night in "A Christmas Carol" on December 11, and we will think of you, and how very much you were like Charles Dickens....a keen observer of life, with a sentimental heart. If there is a heaven, I hope you are there, and laughing. Love, Laura

December 7, 2009

Dad, Your birthday is coming up (December 11) and you would have been 86. But you made it to 85 which is VERY respectable.
You got to see a black man elected president and many other recent world events that, being a true-blue liberal, you had definite opinions about!
I miss you this time of year, as it brings to mind the complexity of your persepctives - you loved Christmas - the sentiment and traditions, celtic and German - yet you despised the false sentiment, the materialism and the Religious hypocracy of it all. I carry those beliefs with me, too, Dad.
As a historian, you knew more about the foibles and successes of men than most do, and you taught me about that and so much more. Thank you for making me realize how big the world is from a very young age. I miss you.
Love,
Jill

Dave DuFault

October 13, 2009

October 13, 2009
I find it difficult to accept that Dan has died. I still remember the sincere friendship offered to Phyllis and me when we arrived in San Diego in 1962. In addition we quickly came to value his knowlege, wisdom and sense of humor. He was one of a kind, and we will miss him.
Dave DuFault, La Quinta, CA
[email protected]

jessie stoddart/flemion

October 12, 2009

October 12
It was with great sadness that I received word today that Dan had died. I was in San Diego on Saturday to celebrate our former colleague, Bob Filner's 30 years of public service. I wondered then how Dan was. We hadn't had a retired faculty meeting in some time.

Dan was the first person I met in the history department when he and Barbara came to Berkeley during the summer before I joined the History Department at San Diego State.

First impressions proved accurate, life-long. I thought he was one of the most attractive men I had ever met! He sort of dazzled with a wonderful gift of warmth and friendliness that made we think this was going to be a great job.

He stayed the same, still dazzling after all these years and remained one of my most loved colleagues. I am sorry he is gone but I am grateful to have known such a lovely man.

October 12, 2009

Laura and Jill,
I have many fond memories of your Dad and your Mom at SDSU History Dept beach picnics, at each other's homes, and crayfishing.
My sincere condolences to you and to your families.
Tom Hanchett

Laura Rader

October 11, 2009

Dad,
Emily and i have been taking long hikes lately, something you once loved to do, and it eases the pain. Remembering how you loved and appreciated us and everything in life keeps you with us. Always, Laura

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