Reverend Warren R. Radtke
May 25, 1935 ~ September 9, 2023
Advisor and Counselor to many, dies at 88
The Reverend Warren R. Radtke, 88, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Norway, Maine died on September 9th surrounded by his family. The funeral will take place at Trinity Church Boston in Copley Square, 206 Clarendon St, Boston on Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00 am.
Throughout his life Warren was a counselor, thought-provoking intellectual and passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice. Over the course of his career, both as a priest and then as a consultant and career advisor, he helped countless people navigate the most difficult crossroads of their lives, whether it was the loss of a child or a major professional challenge.
Starting with working on voter registration in Montgomery, Alabama in the spring of 1965, he took great pride in having participated in the Poor People’s March in Washington, DC in 1968 and protesting the Vietnam War. Until the pandemic he served as a tutor and mentor at College Behind Bars, a program assisting the incarcerated to complete their education.
After working for General Electric, where he was briefly a “repo man,” and attending seminary, he was ordained a deacon in The Episcopal Church in 1964 and a priest the following year. He was the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, Massachusetts from 1965 to 1981. Subsequently, he served in a number of churches in the Boston area including Grace Episcopal Church in Newton and Trinity Church in Copley Square. He also served the Diocese of Massachusetts in a variety of roles including working on Congregational Development and Clergy Deployment. At the church-wide level, he was a volunteer for The Credo Project at the Church Pension Group of The Episcopal Church. Finally, he was a trustee of Episcopal Divinity School from 2006 until 2017.
He believed fiercely in the power of discipleship; doing more than talking. He also embraced the sentiment in the prayer inspired by the words of Henri-Frédéric Amiel, “Life is short; and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”
He was the founder of Right Associates Boston, a human resources consulting firm, in 1982. He served as Executive Vice President at Right Management Consultants until 1996. With his son Jonathan, he also founded Maine Marine Group, Inc. d/b/a SeaTow Portland, a towing and salvage company, based in Portland, Maine. From 2000 to 2021 he was a Senior Career Advisor at the Harvard Business School, a position he relished. In the arts, he was a passionate thespian and a Trustee Emeritus of The Huntington in Boston. He relished the opportunity to watch his grandchildren perform and was prone to bursting into song with enthusiasm. An enthusiastic sailor, he enjoyed summer days sailing Maine waters with his grandchildren aboard his 35’ sloop Scheherazade.
Warren was born on May 25, 1935, to Lawrence Carl Radtke and Meta Grothe Radtke in
Chicago, Illinois. His parents preceded in him in death.
He attended the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, earning a BS in Finance in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves in the Signal Corps. He earned an M.Div. in Scripture in 1964 from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He married Judith Lockhart Radtke, a retired clinical social worker, on May 14, 1960. They have three children, Robert W. Radtke, President and CEO of Episcopal Relief & Development, and twins Kate Radtke Guedj, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at The Boston Foundation and Jonathan L. Radtke, Principal of Lewiston High School in Maine.
Warren is survived by his siblings Edward Radtke and Ellen Radtke along with his wife, children and five granddaughters: Leona, Céline, Evangeline, Naomi, and Louisa.
In lieu of flowers gifts in memory of the Reverend Warren R. Radtke may be made to Episcopal Divinity School at www.eds.edu. All gifts in memory of Warren R. Radtke will be directed to Episcopal Divinity School’s Racial Justice Fund. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com
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Deepest sympathies to Warren’s family and friends. In addition to being an outstanding priest and leader in the Episcopal Church, Warren helped numerous people making career transitions to rebuild their lives. His deep compassion touched the lives of many. His commitment to social justice made a difference in our world. Warren had a big heart and a loving spirit. He is deeply missed. Thank you, Warren. May you rest in peace.
Rev. David Killian
We’re very sorry to hear this. Mr. Radtke was a popular minister at Trinity Episcopal in Melrose. I was confirmed while he was there as well as married 46 years ago. I remember well our pre-marriage counseling. He had a direct impact on many.
Candace Love Tordonato
So sad to learn of Warren’s passing. He was an invaluable resource to me as I considered career transition and worked with him through Harvard Business School career advisory services. He was always frank and forthcoming with his best personal perspective even if it was tough message to deliver. I will never forget his voice, wise counsel and steady demeanor which made him perfect for the role. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and congregants as well as all the people he touched in a positive way. Thank you Warren, you were a guiding light and I will miss you.
I am sadden by the passing of Reverend Radtke and give my condolences to his family and friends.
When Reverend Radtke arrived at rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose my mother, Jesse Washburn, was the church secretary during much of his tenure. During his time as rector he became an important person in the lives of the Washburn family. He officiated at the weddings of my older brother, my younger sister and co-officiated at the ecumenical marriage of me and my wife Donna. He was there to lead the funeral of my mother in 1977 and in 1992 he redonned his robes to col-officiate the memorial service for my dad at Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose. I will always be grateful for his friendship and counsel.
We are very sad to hear of Warren’s passing. We will miss seeing going up and down Crockett Ridge Road with your wife and dog. Rest in peace Warren. Our love and condolences to your family.
The Van Eron Famiky is watching the service from South Carolina. We tried to make it Boston, to pay our respects and say goodbye to Warren- a phenomenal human being who made a tremendous impact on the lives of George, Natalie and our family. Your influence and example lives on through all of the lives you touched, like ours. Thank you, Warren. Love Always, George and Natalie
I was saddened to learn recently about Warren’s passing. My company provides computer help, and I had the pleasure of talking to him a number of times over the years. Condolences to Judith and the rest of the family.