It was Bob Radakovich's pride of having served his country during the Vietnam War that prompted him, once the steel mills were gone, to use his civilian expertise for the Department of Defense.

As a DOD employee based Downtown, Mr. Radakovich, because of his background as a metallurgist with U.S. Steel's Duquesne Works, visited and inspected companies and plants throughout Western Pennsylvania that did work for the military.

Robert Radakovich of White Oak, president of the board of Century Heritage Federal Credit Union, died of cardiac arrest on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in UPMC McKeesport. He was 67.

"As soon as Bob was discharged from active duty in 1965, he served another four years in the Army Reserve," said his wife, Anne Radakovich. "He truly enjoyed the years he spent in the Army."

Vincent Cerasulo, president and CEO of the credit union, said Mr. Radakovich's know-how and intelligence were an asset to the business, which had four offices and 14,000 members.

"It didn't take Bob long, once he joined the board of the credit union as a standby, to work his way up to president," Cerasulo said. "Our members and the members of the board trusted Bob."

Born and raised in Duquesne, Mr. Radakovich was an only child in the family of steelworker Michael Radakovich and his wife, Susan Bobceck Radakovich.

In 1959, Mr. Radakovich, following graduation from Duquesne High School, enrolled at Penn State University, where he majored in business administration.

Upon receiving his degree in 1963, Mr. Radakovich entered the service.

It was at a Sunday night dance in the Wilson VFW in Elizabeth Township that Mr. Radakovich met Anne Petruski, a resident of Duquesne, who was also an only child.

"We were married in 1969," said Mrs. Radakovich, who was employed by the Logan Trucking Co. and a doctor's office in Oakland.

Don Kapolka, who operates a jewelry store in West Mifflin, said Mr. Radakovich was a man who enjoyed a good cup of coffee and a laugh.

"Bob was a happy-go-lucky guy who had a ton of friends and a dry humor," Kapolka said. "I never heard anyone say a bad word about Bob. He enjoyed dropping into our store in the evenings, having a cup of coffee, discussing the events of the day and the business of the credit union.

"I always admired his intelligence. I was the one who recommended Bob for membership on the board of the credit union.

"Besides talking about sports, we talked about fishing. Bob was quite a good fisherman," Kapolka said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Radakovich is survived by his mother-in-law, Jean Petruski of White Oak.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today in the Maloy-Schleifer Funeral Home, 915 Kennedy Ave., Duquesne.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. David Lesko officiating.

Interment with military honors will be in Jefferson Memorial Park, Jefferson Pleasant Hills.

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