Ph.D, James A. Rademacher, DMD, 66 04/17/1943 01/04/2010 James Arno Rademacher, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away Jan. 4, 2010. James "Jim" Rademacher was born and raised in Portland.
He grew up in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood where he continued to live and raise his family. He considered the park part of his backyard and always took daily walks no matter what the weather, enjoying the beauty it provided. Jim attended Portland public schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1961.
He attended the University of Oregon where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity; Portland State University; and the University of Oregon Dental School where he received his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry in 1970. He maintained close friendships with his classmates going all the way back to elementary school.
As a person with a curious and inquisitive mind, Jim continued his education at Georgetown University Medical School and then graduated in 1976 with a doctorate degree in anatomy from the University of Oregon Medical School. His love of learning continued throughout his life with active participation in professional study groups and with ongoing research. In addition to his general practice, he was a well-known specialist in treating TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorders.)
He had just finished preparing a presentation of the findings he compiled over his career as a specialist. Jim met his wife, Jo Ellen, while working towards his Ph.D. at the University of Oregon Medical School. They married in 1976 and soon started a family. Daughter Emily (Washington, D.C.) was born in 1977, followed by son Peter (Seattle) in 1981. They joined an older son, Richard (San Diego), from a previous marriage. In 1976, Jim joined his father, Arno J. Rademacher, in practicing dentistry in the Mt. Tabor neighbor-hood.
Jim retired from his practice in May 2009. As a dentist and TMJ disorder specialist, Jim took much pride in his work. Much to the consternation of his office staff who worked to keep him on schedule, Jim was never in a hurry when it came to patient care. He put relationships first and his patients knew they could expect a full conversation about music, concerts, the Blazers, current affairs, politics or the environment as part of their appointment. These conversations were as important to him as the care he provided.
Jim was a man of contrasts. On one hand, he was a professional who continued to do research, study and learn. He wore a white medical coat daily for 33 years and had a highly successful practice. On the other hand, he regularly attended the county fair, loved live music and attended more Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead concerts than anyone can count. Both professionally and personally, he was a man of great generosity and kindness.
He was known for his tie dyed t-shirts, lifelong beard and a connection to the 1960s that never faded. In 2008, he organized a men's trip to Amsterdam for his best friends and son, Peter, that remained a very fond memory. As a longtime, dedicated fan and season ticket holder, he was delighted to see the "new" Blazers return to their winning ways built on talent and character . giving back to the community as Jim did all of his professional life.
From the late '60s when Jim and his close dental friends provided free dental services to needy, low-income residents at a North Portland clinic to recent efforts to provide dental services to elderly persons at assisted living centers, he felt passionate about sharing his talent and services with those less fortunate. And always, Jim loved to live life to its fullest, enjoying the bounty of nature in his extensive gardens or sharing musical moments with his friends and family.
As Bob Dylan wrote, "May your hands always be busy, May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift. May your heart always be joyful, May your song always be sung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young."
Jim is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen; son, Richard; daughter, Emily; son, Peter; grandson, Andrew; and sister, Deann. Peace, Love and Harmony. An open house celebrating his life will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, in McMenamin's Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave., Portland, 97211. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remem-brances to Legacy Hopewell House, 6171 S.W. Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97239.