Updated with services and obit: USA Wrestling leader Frank Rader, 66, passed away in North Carolina
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by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
Frank Rader, 66, of Mooresville, N.C., who was one of the most active volunteer leaders within USA Wrestling for decades, passed away in North Carolina on Monday.
Rader served in numerous roles within the organization, including as an officer on the Board of Directors, a state chairperson in North Carolina and a member of numerous standing committees of the organization.
“USA Wrestling and the sport of wrestling owes considerable thanks and gratitude to Frank Rader. His visionary leadership and support was critical to the growth of the organization and our entire sport. Frank epitomized someone who lived with a servant’s heart. He was always willing to pitch in to help others. Our sport lost a giant today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful wife Liz and their beautiful daughter Ellie,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 1:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 249 West McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, followed by the burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Pastor David Rockness will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Mooresville Foundation for Excellence in Education (305 N. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115), Camp Grier (PO Box 490, Old Fort, NC 28762 www.campgrier.org) and to First Presbyterian Church (249 W. McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, NC 28115).
He has served as USA Wrestling’s Treasurer, and served on the Executive Committee and Legislative Committee of the organization. He was also Vice-Chairperson of the Kids/Cadet Council and Chair of the Southeast Region.
Rader was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 1982. He was also named the 1999 USA Wrestling Kids/Cadet Person of the Year.
In 1985, Rader also served a stint as an interim Executive Director for USA Wrestling, directing the national staff during a transition period after Steve Combs left the position and prior to the hiring of Gary Kurdelmeier as Executive Director.
Rader served in a key staff position as the assistant competition manager for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., helping manage what was considered the best organization and presentation of Olympic wrestling to date. He also played a leadership role on the wrestling staff at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.
He also served as an Events Director for a number of major competitions, including the Southeast Regional Championships.
He was a high school wrestling coach in North Carolina from 1972-76. As an athlete, he wrestled in North Carolina in high school from 1964-67, where he was the state champion in 1967. He was a college wrestler from 1967-71 at Davidson College. Rader was a major supporter of the wrestling program at Davidson, which competes on the Div. I level and in the Southern Conference.
He has directed the local wrestling club in Mooresville, the Race City Grapplers, and has become more active in state-level wrestling again in recent years.
Rader had a lifelong love for wrestling, helping build the sport on the local, regional, national and international levels.
Just last night, Rader attended the North Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet, the largest and most successful turnout in history. He is an inductee to this Hall of Fame and a strong supporter of the program.
“Frank is my mentor. Just two weeks ago, we talked for hours about plans for the next year in wrestling. He is very active on the state level now, behind the scenes. We are very close. He was compassionate and cared deeply about other people. He was an advocate for the schools and was proud of his community in Mooresville. He wanted to make wrestling better. He was a tireless advocate for the causes he cared about, and wrestling was one of those causes. We call him the Founding Father of North Carolina USA Wrestling. I was honored to know him. Today is a sad day for wrestling and for his family and friends,” said North Carolina USA Wrestling membership director and Board member Ed Duncan.
Rader was very active in his community, serving as a commissioner in Mooresville, as an architect of the town's creation of the MI-Connection cable system and a strong advocate of the public schools. He volunteered in the Mooresville Graded School District and helped lead last year's successful countywide campaign for $131 million in education bonds.
OBITUARY FOR FRANKLIN EDWARD RADER
Franklin Edward Rader died peacefully at his home in Mooresville on Monday, May 18, 2015.
Born in Newton, North Carolina on January 7, 1949, Frank was the eldest son of the late William Woodrow Rader and Lura Abernethy Rader. A loving and supportive husband and father, Frank is survived by his wife, Liz Boyd Rader, and daughter, Lura Elizabeth “Ellie" Rader. Frank is also survived by his brother, Charles Whitener Rader (Becky) of Cornelius, and sisters Susan Rader Poole (Fred) of Greensboro and Frances Rader Lena (Manuel) of Dallas, Texas. Frank was a devoted uncle to his nephews John and David Rader and Charles and Robert Lena and his niece Mary Frances Lena.
A 1967 graduate of Mooresville High School, Frank received his BA degree in history from Davidson College in 1971. He taught history and coached football and wrestling at high schools in Raleigh and Canton for several years before joining Smith Barney as a stockbroker, retiring early to dedicate his time in service to the organizations and institutions he loved most: USA Wrestling, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the Boy Scouts of America, the Town of Mooresville, the Mooresville Graded School District, and First Presbyterian Church.
Always grateful to the people and the community that shaped him, Frank never hesitated to give generously his time, resources, and unique talents. He was a creative visionary who constantly sought to leave the world a little better than he found it. Not only was he at home in the board room, he also enjoyed tutoring elementary school children in arithmetic, serving in the church nursery, and preparing tailgate suppers before home football games. He loved engaging in debates on many topics, and was famous for answering a question with a question thereby moving the discussion to a deeper level. Frank’s character and convictions were a reflection of his Christian faith. He viewed his life and family as a blessing and always tried to live a life honoring his Creator.
A state champion wrestler in high school, Frank served in numerous key roles with USA Wrestling both on a national and state level. The organization describes Frank as epitomizing someone who lived with a servant’s heart, always willing to pitch in and help others, and helping to build the sport on the local, regional, national and international levels. He was an inductee to the North Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame, and held leadership positions on the wrestling staff in the 1996 and 1984 Olympic Games.
Frank was recipient of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity’s highest honor, the Order of the Golden Heart, given by the national board of directors in recognition of his constant, faithful, and distinguished service to his brothers and the fraternity. He enjoyed serving as the alumni advisor for the Davidson College chapter for many years. Frank was unflagging in his efforts to promote the highest academic, moral, and ethical standards within this organization.
Frank was elected to one term as town commissioner in 2005. Following his term of office, his interest in local government remained keen, and he often attended town and county board meetings and budget sessions. In addition to his passion for Mooresville, Frank was also a staunch advocate of the public schools, volunteering in the Mooresville Graded School District and helping to lead last year's successful countywide campaign for $131 million in education bonds.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 1:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 249 West McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, followed by the burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Pastor David Rockness will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Mooresville Foundation for Excellence in Education (305 N. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115), Camp Grier (PO Box 490, Old Fort, NC 28762 www.campgrier.org) and to First Presbyterian Church (249 W. McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, NC 28115).
Article on Frank Rader’s passing in Mooresville Tribune
Article on Frank Rader on North Carolina USA Wrestling website
Rader served in numerous roles within the organization, including as an officer on the Board of Directors, a state chairperson in North Carolina and a member of numerous standing committees of the organization.
“USA Wrestling and the sport of wrestling owes considerable thanks and gratitude to Frank Rader. His visionary leadership and support was critical to the growth of the organization and our entire sport. Frank epitomized someone who lived with a servant’s heart. He was always willing to pitch in to help others. Our sport lost a giant today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful wife Liz and their beautiful daughter Ellie,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 1:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 249 West McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, followed by the burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Pastor David Rockness will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Mooresville Foundation for Excellence in Education (305 N. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115), Camp Grier (PO Box 490, Old Fort, NC 28762 www.campgrier.org) and to First Presbyterian Church (249 W. McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, NC 28115).
He has served as USA Wrestling’s Treasurer, and served on the Executive Committee and Legislative Committee of the organization. He was also Vice-Chairperson of the Kids/Cadet Council and Chair of the Southeast Region.
Rader was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 1982. He was also named the 1999 USA Wrestling Kids/Cadet Person of the Year.
In 1985, Rader also served a stint as an interim Executive Director for USA Wrestling, directing the national staff during a transition period after Steve Combs left the position and prior to the hiring of Gary Kurdelmeier as Executive Director.
Rader served in a key staff position as the assistant competition manager for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., helping manage what was considered the best organization and presentation of Olympic wrestling to date. He also played a leadership role on the wrestling staff at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.
He also served as an Events Director for a number of major competitions, including the Southeast Regional Championships.
He was a high school wrestling coach in North Carolina from 1972-76. As an athlete, he wrestled in North Carolina in high school from 1964-67, where he was the state champion in 1967. He was a college wrestler from 1967-71 at Davidson College. Rader was a major supporter of the wrestling program at Davidson, which competes on the Div. I level and in the Southern Conference.
He has directed the local wrestling club in Mooresville, the Race City Grapplers, and has become more active in state-level wrestling again in recent years.
Rader had a lifelong love for wrestling, helping build the sport on the local, regional, national and international levels.
Just last night, Rader attended the North Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet, the largest and most successful turnout in history. He is an inductee to this Hall of Fame and a strong supporter of the program.
“Frank is my mentor. Just two weeks ago, we talked for hours about plans for the next year in wrestling. He is very active on the state level now, behind the scenes. We are very close. He was compassionate and cared deeply about other people. He was an advocate for the schools and was proud of his community in Mooresville. He wanted to make wrestling better. He was a tireless advocate for the causes he cared about, and wrestling was one of those causes. We call him the Founding Father of North Carolina USA Wrestling. I was honored to know him. Today is a sad day for wrestling and for his family and friends,” said North Carolina USA Wrestling membership director and Board member Ed Duncan.
Rader was very active in his community, serving as a commissioner in Mooresville, as an architect of the town's creation of the MI-Connection cable system and a strong advocate of the public schools. He volunteered in the Mooresville Graded School District and helped lead last year's successful countywide campaign for $131 million in education bonds.
OBITUARY FOR FRANKLIN EDWARD RADER
Franklin Edward Rader died peacefully at his home in Mooresville on Monday, May 18, 2015.
Born in Newton, North Carolina on January 7, 1949, Frank was the eldest son of the late William Woodrow Rader and Lura Abernethy Rader. A loving and supportive husband and father, Frank is survived by his wife, Liz Boyd Rader, and daughter, Lura Elizabeth “Ellie" Rader. Frank is also survived by his brother, Charles Whitener Rader (Becky) of Cornelius, and sisters Susan Rader Poole (Fred) of Greensboro and Frances Rader Lena (Manuel) of Dallas, Texas. Frank was a devoted uncle to his nephews John and David Rader and Charles and Robert Lena and his niece Mary Frances Lena.
A 1967 graduate of Mooresville High School, Frank received his BA degree in history from Davidson College in 1971. He taught history and coached football and wrestling at high schools in Raleigh and Canton for several years before joining Smith Barney as a stockbroker, retiring early to dedicate his time in service to the organizations and institutions he loved most: USA Wrestling, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the Boy Scouts of America, the Town of Mooresville, the Mooresville Graded School District, and First Presbyterian Church.
Always grateful to the people and the community that shaped him, Frank never hesitated to give generously his time, resources, and unique talents. He was a creative visionary who constantly sought to leave the world a little better than he found it. Not only was he at home in the board room, he also enjoyed tutoring elementary school children in arithmetic, serving in the church nursery, and preparing tailgate suppers before home football games. He loved engaging in debates on many topics, and was famous for answering a question with a question thereby moving the discussion to a deeper level. Frank’s character and convictions were a reflection of his Christian faith. He viewed his life and family as a blessing and always tried to live a life honoring his Creator.
A state champion wrestler in high school, Frank served in numerous key roles with USA Wrestling both on a national and state level. The organization describes Frank as epitomizing someone who lived with a servant’s heart, always willing to pitch in and help others, and helping to build the sport on the local, regional, national and international levels. He was an inductee to the North Carolina Wrestling Hall of Fame, and held leadership positions on the wrestling staff in the 1996 and 1984 Olympic Games.
Frank was recipient of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity’s highest honor, the Order of the Golden Heart, given by the national board of directors in recognition of his constant, faithful, and distinguished service to his brothers and the fraternity. He enjoyed serving as the alumni advisor for the Davidson College chapter for many years. Frank was unflagging in his efforts to promote the highest academic, moral, and ethical standards within this organization.
Frank was elected to one term as town commissioner in 2005. Following his term of office, his interest in local government remained keen, and he often attended town and county board meetings and budget sessions. In addition to his passion for Mooresville, Frank was also a staunch advocate of the public schools, volunteering in the Mooresville Graded School District and helping to lead last year's successful countywide campaign for $131 million in education bonds.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 1:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, 249 West McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, followed by the burial at Glenwood Cemetery. Pastor David Rockness will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Mooresville Foundation for Excellence in Education (305 N. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115), Camp Grier (PO Box 490, Old Fort, NC 28762 www.campgrier.org) and to First Presbyterian Church (249 W. McLelland Avenue, Mooresville, NC 28115).
Article on Frank Rader’s passing in Mooresville Tribune
Article on Frank Rader on North Carolina USA Wrestling website
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