In Memoriam: Ted Radcliffe 1928 – 2002

On October 21, 2002, (Edward) Ted Radcliffe passed away. Ted was born in Edmonton, Alberta on February 7, 1928, eventually moving to Burnaby were he attended Burnaby South High School. After attending Woodbury College in Los Angeles he returned to Vancouver in 1955.

Ted had developed a lifelong passion for sports – particularly Track and Field. His interest in track & field and particularly gathering statistics on women’s performances began in 1962 and in 1967 he began contributing Canadian data to the International Track & Field Statistical Yearbooks. Ted was elected to the International Association of Track and Field Statisticians in 1969, the second Canadian to be so honoured. He then went on to serve as National Statistician from 1970 to 1984.

Ted was an Official at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland and his hobby became a full-time position in 1976 when he was Track & Field Statistician at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. In 1988 he was inducted into the BC Athletics Hall of Fame.

Two of his happiest moments occurred in 1989 and 1991 when two of his nominees, Stephanie Berto-Berkum and Pat Jones-Dalziel were inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Ted was co-author with Bill McNulty of two books on track and field – "Canadian Athletics 1839 – 1992" published in 1992 by Athletics Canada and "The Legend Of The Inter-High 1903-1995" published in 1995 by Legend of the Inter-High 1903-1995.

Ted will be remembered by his numerous friends worldwide as a gentle and honourable man who went out of his way to help those less fortunate than he. He will be surely missed by those he loved and those who loved him.

In lieu of flowers Ted requested that donations be made to Aids Vancouver, 1107 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5S8, Canada – Tel. 604-681-2122 or on-line at: www.aidsvancouver.bc.ca