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Obituary

Walter (Walt) Horner Radcliffe

September 11, 1947 - December 26, 2024

Walter (Walt) Horner Radcliffe was born September 11, 1947, to Wesley and Zora “Doogie” (Horner) Radcliffe in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Walt graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1965 and was a member of the Knights golf team and Key Club. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in 1969 and a JD from the University College of Law in 1972. While a student at UNL, Walt pledged Chi Phi Fraternity and later served as the fraternity’s Chapter President. Walt served in ROTC and later in the Nebraska National Guard and as a First Lieutenant in the US Army. In 1970, Walt married Vickey Thayer, although divorced, the two of them remained friends throughout his life. He was later briefly married to Nancy Rohren. Walt was a member of the Nebraska Bar Association, Lincoln Bar Association, Nebraska Golf Association (Past President), The Nebraska Club Board of Directors, and Hillcrest Country Club Board of Directors.

Walt developed deep roots in Nebraska law and politics early on and in college organized a student service project to take over one hundred disabled and elderly voters to the polls on election day. In the 1970s Walt practiced law with Max Kier, a former Speaker of Nebraska’s bicameral legislature in the 1930s, and Roland Luedtke, former Speaker, Lt. Governor, and Mayor of Lincoln. His decades long involvement with the Nebraska Unicameral began when Walt served as a legislative page in 1969. Walt also served as Assistant Clerk to the Legislature, Counsel to the Speaker, Counsel to the Judiciary Committee, and Counsel to the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee. In 1977, in partnership with David Tews, Walt registered as a lobbyist and founded Nebraska’s oldest lobbying and governmental relations law firm. Walt became the sole owner and chief partner of the firm in the 1980s and renamed the firm Radcliffe and Associates. Nebraska’s foremost lobbying firm was renamed Radcliffe Gilbertson & Brady in 2019. Walt remained a registered lobbyist until his death.

Walt represented a diverse collection of clients from every corner of Nebraska and across the country on issues as wide ranging as complex business matters to civil rights through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Walt was at the forefront of dozens of citizen initiatives since the 1980s leaving an indelible mark on Nebraska statutes, case law, and the Nebraska Constitution. Countless careers of Nebraska politicians were launched with a visit to Walt who served as a friend, confidant, strategist, and counselor to Nebraska’s Governors, Senators, and thought leaders.

Walt was a one of a kind larger than life personality who lived life to the fullest whether that was in the halls of the magnificent State Capitol, on the golf course, cheering on the Huskers, or while enjoying the finer things in life like a signature Nebraska steak or extraordinary bottle of wine, or distinctive cigar. Walt attended numerous social and cultural events and was a generous benefactor to many causes he was passionate about to make a positive difference for the people and places in Nebraska he cherished and wanted to strengthen for future generations. Walt frequently shared his unparalleled knowledge of political history, the law, and literature with prescient modern applications that were always delivered with his signature smile, brilliance, razor sharp wit and searing sense of humor. Walt was a highly sought political commentator and speaker and one of the most frequently quoted experts on Nebraska law and politics in countless publications for over five decades.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his longtime life partner Mary Pack, Korby Gilbertson and Mark Munger and Hunter Gilbertson of Lincoln, Paul and Julie Pack of Lexington, Connor Pack of Omaha, and Kaelyn and Edwin Hooper and Elias Hooper of Seattle, and countless friends whom he treasured.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to honor Walt’s life and legacy to: Live On Nebraska: 3867 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, NE 68105, or The Nebraska Golf Association Foundation – Walt Radcliffe Youth Golf Fund: 6618 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68137

A Celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 3rd at 2:30PM at Hillcrest Country Club (9401 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68520).

Services

January3

Celebration of Life

CST

Hillcrest Country Club

9401 ‘O’ Street, Lincoln, Nebraska

Share a Memory or Condolence

January 3, 2025

Walt was a wonderful man. I had the good fortune of learning from him and working with him in support of Lincoln Public Schools at the Nebraska Legislature. Walt was a compelling advocate for LPS and public schools in general, and his strategic leadership was central to most of the successful efforts in the legislature to support public schools. As much as I will miss his leadership, I think that I will miss his story telling even more. Regardless of the situation or circumstance, he always had a historical reference as well as a funny story to improve our understanding as well as our moods. His leadership and quick wit will be sorely missed, and I will miss him.

– John Neal
January 2, 2025

My thoughts are with you all. Walt was indeed “larger than life.” His knowledge, political wisdom, and leadership will never be replaced. He will be missed!

– Janice Satra

Obituaries & Services

Patsy A. McArthur

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Leland “Buck” Leslie Hall

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Mitch O. Hussey Miller

3/13

Walter (Walt) Horner Radcliffe

4/13

Margaret Skoog

5/13

Mark Kilgore

6/13

Sharon Kay Geyer

7/13

Gary Thompson

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Patricia L. (McCreary) Brown

9/13

Michael L. Gale, Sr.

10/13

Ila Faye Dragoo

11/13

(Velma) Jean Ang

12/13

Janet C. Weyhrauch

13/13

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