BUCKSPORT – Laurence V. Radtke D.D.S. F.A.C.D., 72, died March 14, 2004, at a Bangor hospital. He was born January 7, 1932, in Newark, N.J., the son of Laurence V. and Margaret (Benedict) Radtke. He graduated from Summit High School, Summit, N.J. in 1950, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., in 1954, and the St. Louis University Dental School with honors, in 1961. Laurence served in the U.S. Army earning the rank of 1st Lt. He had a successful dental practice in Berkeley Heights, N.J. for 32 years, retiring to Maine in 1994. He enjoyed fishing at his camp on Branch Pond, which he built in 1970. He was a longtime member of the New Providence United Methodist Church, New Providence, N.J., and a member of the Orland United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee and on the P.P.R.C. He belonged to the Rotary Clubs in New Jersey and Ellsworth and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Congdon Overlook Masonic Lodge No. 163 AF & AM, Basking Ridge, N.J., and the Felicity Masonic Lodge No. 19 AF & AM, Bucksport. He was a volunteer valet parker at the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Ellsworth, and enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Brewer Hometown Band. Laurence is survived by his wife of 48 years, Martha A. (Farner) Radtke of Bucksport; four children, Carol Archdeacon and husband, Chuck, of Asbury, N.J., David Radtke and fianc_e, Evelyn Norton, of Southport, Andrew Radtke of Lansdale, Pa., Thomas Radtke and wife, Claire, of Washington, N.J.; nine grandchildren, Daniel and Kathleen Archdeacon, Amanda Foerster, Cagney Archdeacon, Rebecca and Alexa Radtke, Jordan Radtke, Jacob and Kristen Norton; great-granddaughter, Julia Foerster; sister, Jean M. Peotter of New Providence, N.J.; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in New Jersey at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Laurence’s memory may be made to the New Providence United Methodist Church, 1441 Springfield Ave., New Providence, N.J. 07974 and/or to the Orland United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 81, Orland, ME 04472. Arrangements by Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport, ME.
LAURENCE V. RADTKE D.D.S.
