Ted Rademaker

1924 - 2018

Ted Rademaker passed away peacefully at his home in San Francisco on May 27, 2018 at the age of 93.

Ted was born on December 19, 1924 in Butte, Montana to the late Esther and Ted Rademaker, later moving to Wyoming and attending Casper High School. He proudly held the title of "Jitterbug Champion" in Casper as a youth. During World War II, Ted attended the Naval Officer Candidate School in Illinois where he trained to become a naval pilot. After the war, Ted went on to become a standout sprinter on U.C. Berkeley's Track and Field team, where he was dubbed as the "Handsome Hurdler" and held several school records including in the 120 yard high hurdles and 220 yard low hurdles (events that have since been discontinued). Also at Cal, Ted met the love of his life and late wife Nancy on a blind date after Nancy had asked a mutual friend to be set up with "someone who could dance." The two would be inseparable thereafter until her passing in 2005. After graduating from Cal in 1950 with a degree in Economics, the couple ultimately settled in Modesto and later Fresno in California's Central Valley where they raised three children while Ted pursued a successful career in Agri-business. He continued his athletic achievements well into his adult life, setting the American Masters record for 100 hurdles at the age of 60 with a blazing fast time of 16.05, cycling hundreds of miles through Europe each summer with Nancy, and later cycling and taking up handball through the Olympic Club – pursuits which he avidly pursued even into his 90s.

Ted is survived by his brother Tom; children John, Kirk and Erica; grandchildren Sally, Adrian, Andrew, Danny, Molly and Tui; as well as countless extended family members, neighbors and friends.

Ted was a true gentleman who will be remembered for the love he had for his dear late wife Nancy and family, his infectious sense of humor, his passion for and contribution to athletics, his famous martinis, and the unparalleled model of discipline and hard work that he set for his family.

The family will be holding a small private memorial gathering later this year to celebrate his life.