OCEAN ISLE BEACH — It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Robert (Bob) Fielding Radcliffe, who passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Hayes and three children from his marriage to Julie B Radcliffe–Gregory, Jennifer and Jeffrey Radcliffe and grandchildren Ethan, Owen, Morgan and Lila. He is also survived by his sister Terry Stocker. He leaves behind adoring nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
Bob was born to Milton Ray Radcliffe and Margaret Vass Radcliffe in Greensboro, NC. Bob grew up in multiple locations in the United States following his dad’s career as a chemical engineer. In 1960 his family moved to Massachusetts where he attended Marblehead High School. He was an incredible athlete and played many sports. He was a Massachusetts State All American in football and as a result, Bob was recruited by 71 colleges for football scholarships. He chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and became a proud member of the distinguished class of 1965. Although Bob was recruited to play football at West Point, during his plebe year, he was introduced to lacrosse and thus began his lifelong passion for the game. He earned 3 varsity letters and in lacrosse and in 1965 he was selected as a First Team All American Defenseman. He remained a proud alumni of the men’s lacrosse program and in the early 2020’s he was asked to become a committee member to establish a men’s lacrosse endowment and to strengthen alumni support and participation in the program.
Upon graduation from the Academy he started a 27 year military career retiring with the rank of Colonel. Commissioned in 1965 Bob was assigned to serve in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader with the First Calvary Division, where he distinguished himself in combat and was awarded The Combat Infantry Badge, a Silver Star, a Soldier’s Medal, a Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart, It was through his career in the military including at West Point that he gained another family, his “band of brothers”. Through their shared experiences, they became a close-knit family and built friendships that lasted a lifetime. He was an inspiring leader and man of character. His clear-minded approach to doing things gave him a rare wisdom. He was well respected by all who knew him. He lived his life extremely well, with unmatched character, integrity and purpose.
After he retired from the military in 1991 Bob moved to Concord, NC and began another successful career with Phillip Morris (Altria). Bob retired as Director of Procurement in 2006. The best part about transitioning to his new career in NC was his introduction, on a blind date, to his greatest love and second wife, Faye Hayes. They went from a blind date to a loving marriage of 28 years. Their marriage began with an idyllic honeymoon on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys. They returned to Little Palm and The Keys on multiple occasions as it held many memories. Bob said he felt blessed that he married a twin and always said he got two wives the day he married Faye.
Bob and Faye later moved to Richmond Virginia establishing a home in The Fan, historical district. They enjoyed the eclectic lifestyle of The Fan. Though they enjoyed the city life they also shared a love of the Carolina Coast and early in their marriage purchased property in the Cherry Grove District of North Myrtle Beach. This began a yearly tradition of family trips to the Coast.
After his retirement in 2006, Bob and Faye were free to travel the world with friends and family, experience new countries and cultures; most notably Italy to which they returned many times. They also developed a love for cruising and saw multiple ports-of-call throughout the world.
In 2006, Faye and Bob built their retirement home in Ocean Isle Beach, an area they grew to love. They loved their new home and community and, again, built a network of friends that have completed their lives. Bob’s fervent hope is that his next life will include the friends and loved ones he met and loved in this life. Finally, he wanted to thank Faye for making his life complete. He will be waiting for her in heaven.
A Celebration of Life service is being planned to be conducted in the Seaside United Methodist Church of which he was a member, and will be announced here in the coming days. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests that In Lieu of Flowers donations in his name be directed to West Point Men’s Lacrosse Endowment or West Point Association of Graduates, with “Men’s Lax Endowment” written in the memo line and mailed to: West Point Association of Graduates, Attn: Gift Operations, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996.
Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family here.
