Charles (Chuck) Radloff, born in 1928 in the small town of Kingsford/Iron Mountain, Michigan, brings a strong Midwestern work ethic, a relentless sense of curiosity, and the proud spirit of a true “Yooper” from the Upper Peninsula to all his life’s work.  Alongside his beloved wife, Ede—“from the other side of the tracks” in Iron Mountain—Chuck has lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and service.

Shortly after Chuck completed his Navy service during the Korean War, and graduated from Marquette University, He married Ede.  Together they embarked on a remarkable journey that has spanned decades, continents, and countless blessings. They raised four children while living in more than eight states, two countries, and over sixteen homes—always seizing the opportunity to explore and travel. Constant through it all was a life grounded in the Roman Catholic Church, nurturing strong faith communities wherever they went.

As a young married couple raising their family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chuck and Ede became members of Good Shepherd Parish under the guidance of Father Fran Eschweiler. It was here, in the early 1960s, in the height of Vatican II, that they joined the Christian Family Movement and discovered the power of faith-driven social justice. Father Fran introduced them to the writings of Thomas Merton—a voice that would become central to their spiritual growth. Chuck and Ede would later attend retreats at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, meditating in the very spaces where Merton wrote.

After Chuck’s first retirement in the mid-1980s, he and Ede journeyed deeper into Merton’s world, traveling across Europe to visit Trappist monasteries and explore the contemplative traditions of the Cistercians. These travels eventually led them to a lifelong friendship with poet Robert Lax, whom they first met on the remote Greek island of Patmos in 1989. Their meeting and ongoing friendship with Lax are worthy of a book in itself!

Back in the United States, Chuck and Ede became active members of San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo, California, where they had settled in 1982. After Chuck’s second retirement in the mid-1990s, they dedicated even more time to spiritually inspired social activism—living out the mission instilled in them decades earlier by Father Fran.

In 1997, they made their first pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and a seed was planted- they felt a Calling.

In 2003, Chuck and Ede were vested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. 

In his role of Councilor-at-Large and at the request of the General Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Chuck and Ede made regular service trips to the Holy Land, working on projects that supported education, healthcare, and housing for Palestinian Christians.

In 2003 Chuck undertook a transformative three-month solo journey to the region and from 2003 to 2018 they made 3-4 trips annually, each trip lasting three to four weeks.

Fifteen consecutive years of multiple visits fostered rich long-term friendships and the opportunity to connect the efforts of the Western Leutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre to the needs of Palestinians and the outcomes of their financial support.

Chuck and Ede received many honors and awards on this journey.  One of their most notable was the Golden Palm of Jerusalem Award, presented to members of the Holy Sepulchre demonstrating unwavering service in the Holy Land. Specifically, this award honors their moral leadership and decades of service in the Holy Land.

In 2024, Chuck and Ede relocated to Meridian, Idaho, to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Chuck and Ede continue to be members of the Western Lieutenancy and are now members of the Risen Christ Catholic Church. 

They continue to live each day with curiosity, faith, and a commitment to sustaining the Christian presence in the Holy Land.