Bay Kiwanians say thanks with yard work for family of lost Huntington Beach hero

Bay Village Kiwanis Club members organized a weekend landscaping work party recently at the home of Michelle Radke. Her husband Peter’s heroic attempt to rescue a 13-year-old girl resulted in his drowning death at Huntington Beach a year ago on Memorial Day. From left, Kiwanians Tom Mullee, Foster McMasters, Jim Potter, Mrs. Peter Radke, Tom Johnson, Steve Slane and Patrick Mosier.

Bay Village Kiwanians traveled to Medina recently for a spring yard clean-up work party at the home of Michelle Radke, whose husband, Peter, 42,  lost his life at Huntington Beach a year ago on Memorial Day, in a bid to rescue a drowning 13-year-old out-of-state girl, who was ultimately saved by other swimmers. Michelle is now raising children Hannah, Brynn, Owen and Isaac alone in their Medina home.

To quote from the Ohio Senate resolution honoring Mr. Radke, “Peter Radke’s family can, indeed, be proud of his legacy ... he selflessly swam to help a girl who was experiencing trouble while swimming in Lake Erie, and sadly, he did not return from the water. As demonstrated by this noble act, he gave generously of his time, abilities and enthusiasm far beyond what was required or expected and displayed exemplary humanitarian concerns.”

Other resolutions followed from Governor Kasich, who wrote Mrs. Radke a personal letter, and the Ohio House of Representatives. Numbers of Northern Ohio civic organizations found ways to help the Radke family.

Nationally, Kiwanis Clubs, whose motto is “Saving the World One Child and One Community at a Time,” honored Mr. Radke with their annual award for heroism on behalf of children, the Robert P. Connelly Medal. Bay Kiwanis Past President Jim Potter, who organized the Medina work party, said, “Helping the Radke family is a pleasure. Peter Radke embodies every virtue that Kiwanians strive for.”

Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson reported for or edited nine Ohio and Michigan newspapers, six corporate and trade magazines, and manages TOMCOMM, a Bay Village Small Business PR and Marketing firm. He and wife, Joanne, are 25-year Bay Village residents, and he is a past president of the Bay Village Kiwanis Club.

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Volume 7, Issue 11, Posted 9:29 AM, 06.02.2015