Le Roy Richard Rader

Arlington, VA

For those who knew Dick and his love of running, he sadly lost his last race on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Cancer beat him. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife Barbara Olivia York by his side. Barbara and Dick have been together since August 1969 and have been married for 41 years.

Dick was born September 3, 1940, in Utica, New York to Le Roy Arthur and Irene Anna (Schwenk) Rader. He grew up in Wichita, KS in a classic midwestern warm family with pets, delivering newspapers, always playing outdoors, and baseball. His hallmark memory was getting to sit in the dugout with the late, great Ted Williams. The baseball that Ted signed for him is still a prized keepsake.

Passionate about sport, Dick competed in five Olympic Trials, multiple marathons, half-marathons, 10K’s, and 5K’s. His formal sports were Modern Pentathlon, triathlon and baseball; but he was always a runner. With a small band of true believers, Dick valiantly fought the use of drugs in sports. He found some solace that there is public attention on this issue today, but continued to be vehemently angry that drugging continues to riddle the Olympics and competitive sports.

Dick was also passionate about music. His father played in big bands as a hobby. His aunt was a formidable pianist. Dick inherited his love of piano and orchestral music. In his later life, he memorized and evocatively played five pieces from Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart and Schubert.

Dick graduated from University of Kansas with a degree in English and Chemistry. He pursued post graduate work at George Washington University in Pharmacology. He worked in alcohol research in a study for the NIH, as well as proposal management at Logical Technical Services, Sprint and Bell Atlantic.

In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his brother John Phillip Rader and John’s daughter Dr. Valerie Rader, both of Leawood, Kansas; his nephew-in-law Steven Winkler and his daughters Isabella and Alexandra Winkler of Fairfax, VA; his brother-in-law Rick Franke and his daughters Tracy Criddle and her husband Joel; Terri Fisher, her husband Rex, and their daughters Stephanie & Emily; as well as Kimberly Burks all from Fort Worth, TX. He is pre-deceased by his sister Millicent Rader Harris, her husband Robert Harris, and their daughter Heather Harris Winkler all from Fairfax, VA; his second sister Carolyn Franke; and his nephew Phillip Rader.

In lieu of flowers, Dick would ask you to go for a run or a walk and enjoy your God-given gift of movement. Or, play your favorite music (preferably classical) very loud and let it transcend you to a beautiful space.