Joseph E. (Radar) Raynor

2015 Honorary Life Member

We are privileged to enjoy the multifaceted support of Joseph E. (Radar) Raynor. Radar is a person whose personal courage, vitality, and verve belie his quiet, unassuming presence among others. Radar has been extraordinarily active in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for over 32 years, yet few of our most active members know him, although many have heard of him.

Radar began working with the PATC in 1983, when he became an active member of the brand-new Charlottesville Chapter. In 1985, he took on responsibilities to maintain Hightop Hut in Shenandoah National Park and accepted the role of PATC district manager for public hiking trails in the Pedlar District of the George Washington National Forest. After the PATC moved away from the Pedlar District, Radar began working in the Lee Ranger District of the Forest in Catherine Furnace. In 1989, Radar rejoined the PATC and stepped back into his work maintaining Hightop Hut and added to that the work of maintaining the Appalachian National Scenic Trail from Hightop Mountain Summit to Smith Roach Gap Parking Area in the South District of Shenandoah National Park.

Radar quietly promotes the PATC with his volunteer work for the Nature Conservancy in Virginia, which routinely cites him for devoting 50 hours of work in various preserves. Radar doesn’t stop there, either: each year, he volunteers his trail expertise working within units of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. He is an exemplary ambassador for the PATC and our work.

In 2011, Radar suffered a serious medical incident. He responded by involving his trail and hut maintenance work into his rehabilitation program. He informed his district manager of his condition as soon as he could, but would not step down from his PATC tasks. Indeed, he expanded his work with PATC, the Nature Conservancy, and the Richmond National Battlefield Park since he was afflicted.

It is my great pleasure to know that Joseph E. (Radar) Raynor is awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.