Anthony Radspieler, 87, of St. Leonard, formerly of Alexandria, VA passed away Thursday, August 8, 2013 at his residence.

During his lifetime he spent much of time supporting and working with and for organizations and groups that helped those in need. It began when he was a child with the early morning farm chores, continued through the valuable asset he was on the Stone School, Grand Haven, MI, softball team.

Then he contributed via his service during World War II as a Chief Radio Officer in the Merchant Marine, transporting bombs, mines and gasoline in the Pacific Theater, 1944-45. Later at Michigan State he was 1 of the 3 organizers who arranged to buy a house and run it as a co-op for 40 other fellow veterans to reduce their living expenses.

After receiving his PhD. at the University of Zurich in Economics, his first job was with the American Friends Service in Germany, helping the re-settlement of refugees from WW II. His next position was with the UN High Commission for Refugees in Geneva, establishing new refugee eligibility procedures in accord with the Geneva Convention.

Later he continued this work in the State Department, at the American Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. He spent the rest of his career at the Department of Commerce, some of which was on the Four Corners Regional Commission, helping this group with economic development in the 4 western states. He had a 2-year detail to the UN Development Program in Haiti, as an economic planning advisor. He spent many years at the Department of Commerce, Washington, DC as Economist, Dept. of Policy Planning. His last position was at the Foreign Trade Division of the Census Bureau working on foreign trade issues, including the impact of NAFTA on the US economy.

He was a policy and politics devotee and supported many democratic values including investment in education, job creation, infrastructure improvements, preservation of the environment, safety net programs, equal rights, growth of the middle class, a living wage, the benefit of unions, a reduction of the wealth gap, world peace in our lifetime, along with policies and politicians that supported these issues. Senator Bernie Saunders was one of his heroes along with Minority House Democratic Whip Congressman Steny Hoyer.

Tony had a diversity of interests that included building two beach cottages and a sailboat, sailing the seas for recreation, including many days and weeks on the Chesapeake Bay, and to enjoy all his blessings throughout his life.

Tony was preceded in death by his 5 brothers and 1 sister.

He is survived by his wife Sandra VanOosten-Radspieler; daughter, Shirley Radspieler Michael and husband, Jerry; son, Anthony Radspieler, Jr.; step-daughter, Keri VanOosten Kubek; step-son, Ryan VanOosten and wife, Jennifer. Also surviving are many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and greats.

Visitation:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Sewell Funeral Home, 1451 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678.

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Sewell Funeral Home, 1451 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678.

Service:
11:00 am on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 1250 Emmanuel Church Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

Arrangements provided by Sewell Funeral Home.