Walter Radosh

For 79 years Walter A. Radosh blessed the lives of those around him. A loving and carefree man, he never took life too seriously and loved laughter. He himself could tell a good joke or two which often brought smiles to those in his company. As a devoted husband, dedicated father and grandfather and worthwhile friend, Walter leaves much to be remembered in the treasured memories he leaves behind.

The year was 1931 and struggles continued as the Great Depression created a jobless rate of nearly four million. Even so, Americans continued to be optimistic and looked to the future. People were awestruck as New York City opened the Empire State Building, and celebrated as the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the U.S. national anthem. In Monessen, Pennsylvania, Stephen Radosh immigrated to the small steel-mill town from the Ukraine in 1914 in hopes of a promising future. There he met and married his wife, Mary Sterenchak, and together they set out for the American dream. Although times were difficult during the Depression, they had reason to celebrate when on February 11, 1931 they welcomed the birth of their son, Walter.

The sixth of seven children, Walter was raised in the close knit community of Monessen. For the times he enjoyed a typical childhood filled with adventure. Quite intellectual, Walter had a high IQ and did well in his studies at Monessen High School. He was very athletic and participated in gymnastics where he excelled on the rings and horse. During high school Walter took on a few jobs. He was a pin-setter at the local bowling alley and served as an usher at the area theater. He often treated himself for his days work with his favorite, a coconut cream pie and a quart of milk. He also worked at a full service gas station for a time.

Living in a steel mill town, Walter worked at a steel mill for a short while but he had different aspirations. Not only was Walter intelligent, but he possessed musical talent, too. He played the clarinet and the saxophone, and for a brief time he had a band that played gigs for weddings. With the threat of war underway, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1949 and served until 1951 during the Korean War. Following his discharge from service, he began attending California State Teacher’s College and earned his teaching certificate.

It was through a blind date that Walter met the love of his life. When Ramona saw a picture of Walter she agreed to meet him. Quite smitten, they began dating and several years later they were married on August 11, 1956 in Monessen. After they enjoyed a memorable honeymoon in Atlantic City, New Jersey, they returned home to begin their life as husband and wife. Walter adored Ramona and loved everything about her. From the very beginning the two were inseparable.

Walter supported his bride while teaching and in 1957 they were blessed with the birth of their son, Walter. Mark followed in 1958 and their daughter, Renee, completed their family in 1962. In 1966 Walter made a statement of faith and was baptized at St. Monica Catholic Church. It was also during this time when he decided to quit teaching and took a full-time job that offered better benefits at General Motors in Michigan. He packed up his family and moved to Portage, Michigan. Working as a clerk, Walter eventually worked his way to a quality control manager. In all, Walter was with GM for over 30 years before retiring in 1987.

After moving to Portage, Walter and his family made their home at 6749 Brigham Street where he and his beloved Ramona lived for the rest of their days together. He loved working in his vegetable garden and it was in this family home that wonderful memories were made. Walter loved his wife and rarely made a decision without her. He was a kind and tenderhearted husband who concerned himself with her well being. Always together, Walter and Ramona truly enjoyed one another’s company.

Their life was quite that simple. Walter worked while she stayed home and raised the kids. Everyday at 4:00 PM Walter walked through the door, took off his tie and they began their evening together over dinner. That was their life and although it may have been predictable and traditional, they loved every aspect of their time together. They enjoyed the company of their neighbors and often played cards together. Every Friday night for 30 years, Walter played poker with the boys and also played at the Moose Lodge for a long time. As a family, Walter and Ramona took several vacations to Las Vegas and later in life went with friends. Walter nurtured his athletic nature by enjoying target shooting, golf and he bowled on a league for some time. As far as television, he enjoyed watching the sport of boxing. An avid reader of the National Geographic, he also liked anything to do with history.

Never one to remain idle for long, during retirement Walter took a job driving a school bus for the Portage Public Schools for 15 years. He loved the children and they in turn loved him. Throughout the years Walter’s enjoyment for gambling continued. He and Ramona loved traveling to Indiana to play power bingo and for ten years they made trips there, sometimes three times a week! They both loved it and they shared great times together doing so. As a couple they became quite social during these trips and made many friendships along the way.

There are many words to describe the character of Walter Radosh and just as many nicknames he acquired over the years. He answered to Doolie, and Ramona considered him her Sweet Lips. He was nicknamed Hot Sandwich for his love of beef sandwiches at work as well as Chip Ham, Stash, and Pap, just to name a few. Always at the ready with a good joke, Walter loved bringing laughter to those in his company. He loved to laugh and didn’t take life too seriously. A happy and fun loving man, Walter never really became too upset about anything. He was easy going, carefree, and simply loved his wife and family with all he had.

Life began changing for Walter and Ramona about nine years ago when Walter showed signs of dementia. As the disease progressed, his health worsened. He recently was diagnosed with bone cancer, and sadly, at the age of 79, Walter died on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.

Services for Walter will be celebrated Friday, September 24, 2010, 1:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Danielle Radosh. Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Ramona; three children: Walter (Linda) Radosh, Mark (Beverly) Radosh, Renee (Randy) Dubs; two granddaughters: Kristen Eble and Rena Dubs; great-granddaughter, Gracie Eble. Please visit Walter’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory, photo or sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.