John Henry Radcliffe peacefully left us on the evening of August 11th, 2020. He was surrounded by his family, five friends, Dr. Chuck Miller, and Kristina Eizenhoefer, the Bristol Hospice nurse. John was beloved by many for his sense of humor, laughter, great storytelling ability, speech writing including negotiating skills, and love of politics.
He was born May 24, 1942, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to Daniel Z. (Zeke) Radcliffe and Pearl (Toddy) Higgins Radcliffe. He graduated as class president from Tomahawk High School in 1960. He then once more graduated as class president, from the University Of Wisconsin, Eau Claire where he double majored in English and History. While in college, he married Diane Kuehling and his daughter Romala Suzanne was born during his junior year.
He taught for a semester at Wausau High School, two years at Antigo High School, and then moved his family to Park Forest, Illinois. In Illinois, he taught history and their award-winning debate team at Rich East High School. His debate team gained many successes, including the state title. While teaching he also attended evening classes at Chicago Kent College of Law which is part of the Illinois Institute of Technology. He then went on to become part of the high school teacher’s union. In 1972, the National Education Association (NEA), suggested he apply to become a UNISERV director for four unions near South Bend, Indiana. Next, he became the Executive Director of the Fairfax County Education Association in Fairfax, Virginia.
After a successful interview in Honolulu, the family moved here in 1975. This is where he became director of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. In that position, he worked hard to support the teachers and was very successful in negotiating their contracts. After residing in Honolulu for a few years, he ran for the US House of Representatives. Although this run was unsuccessful, he was approached shortly after by JN Musto to become part of the University of Hawaii’s Professional Assembly as a co-director. He simultaneously started his lobbying career which later became a full-time profession. He founded the company Radcliffe and Associates and also became a partner with George (Red) Morris at Capital Consultants, one of the most successful lobbying firms in the state.
In June of 2014, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given six months to live. He had over 85 rounds of chemo before stopping treatment in early 2020. He had been successful a couple of years earlier in getting the Compassion and Caring law passed in Hawaii and was able to take advantage of this method of passing away from our Earth. Meanwhile, in the fall of 2014, he discovered he had a son including a whole family back in Wisconsin. The three Radcliffes here embraced their new family, the Suttons who have traveled here on vacation six or seven times.
He was predeceased by his parents, his son-in-law Robert Scales, and his niece Jenny Radcliffe Ward. His family consists of his wife Diane, his daughter Romala Sue, and her partner David Langille in Honolulu. In Wisconsin his son Dan Sutton and Ruth, his two grandsons, Dr. Dan Jr and Tina, and Tom and Alex, and four great-grandchildren all miss him. He has one sister Toni Grage in Gilbert, Arizona, and a brother Joe Radcliffe and Gayle in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He also has two step-brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.
During his life, John served on a variety of charity, cultural, and educational boards. He was also a member of the Waikiki Yacht Club and the Pacific Club. He will be missed by his many friends here in Hawaii and on the mainland. He loved politics, cooking, reading mystery and history books, movies, and walking in Ala Moana Park with friends. He loved to travel for both pleasure and work. His international travels included Europe (many times), New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Canada, and Mexico. He also frequently enjoyed trips to Las Vegas.
Memorial contributions are graciously accepted. Please make checks payable to the Hawaii Community Foundation with a note that it's for the John Henry Radcliffe Memorial Fund. Contributions may be mailed to 827 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Radcliffe family.
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