Richard Ernest Radez

Richard was born on September 11, 1945 in Tampa, FL to Ernest and Elizabeth Radez. After the family settled in San Mateo, CA, Richard graduated from Aragon High School in 1963, the United States Military Academy in 1967, and Harvard Business School in 1969.

Serving as an Army finance officer in Vietnam introduced Richard to Asia, a region that captured his fascination for the remainder of his life. After being honorably discharged while serving at the Pentagon in 1972, he secured a job at the investment bank Jardine Fleming & Co. in Hong Kong, soon advising a client for the financing and construction of the city’s first subway system.

While working on the subway project, Richard met the computer analyst Bonny Wong and the couple married at St. John's Cathedral on January 6, 1973. Richard and Bonny eventually returned to the United States, where they raised their two sons, Wesley (born 1979) and Robin (born 1984), in New York City and Westport, CT.

Richard made lifelong friendships during school and while serving in the military. Together with classmates from West Point and Harvard, he played an instrumental role in the approval, financing, and construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The result, he believed, was a memorial truly built by the American people.

Over the course of 52 years of marriage and a long career in finance, Richard crisscrossed Asia, frequently returning home with art, furniture, and books. An avid reader and enthusiastic mentor, Richard shared his insights about the world through annotated collections of news articles. It was his way of showing those he cared for that he was thinking of them.

In retirement, Richard and Bonny moved to San Francisco, CA, where they cheered on their grandson, Aaron, at Little League games with Wesley and their daughter-in-law Kathy Radez; visited with Richard’s sister Patricia Radez and her husband Will King; and welcomed Robin to town for holidays at their home with expansive views to the West over the Pacific Ocean.

Richard was equally happy traveling abroad with his family or reading at home in his favorite chair. He loved the natural beauty of the Presidio in San Francisco and was forever making plans for the future. An affectionate husband, father, and grandfather, Richard valued his relationships with friends around the world and will be dearly missed.

Richard will be interred with full military honors at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA, south of San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United States Military Academy Library through the West Point Association of Graduates, the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, and the International Center in New York City.