Keith Richard Rademann, founder of Rademann Stone & Landscaping Co., died Feb. 7. His family says he leaves behind a legacy of hard work and innovation.
The sons of a Fond du Lac, Wis., businessman said their father left behind a legacy of hard work and innovation.
Keith Richard Rademann died at the age of 74 on Feb. 7. He worked for his father at Marblehead Stone Co. before starting Oakfield Stone Co. in 1958 with his brother Bruce. In 1966, he opened Rademann Landscaping Service, according to Keith’s obituary.
Keith’s landscaping company and his father’s business, Rademann Stone Co., merged in 1972, and Rademann Stone & Landscaping Co. was born.
Over the years, he was involved in numerous projects, including several subdivisions, said Keith’s son, Ron Rademann. He also started Fond du Lac Asphalt Co.
Keith retired in 2005 but continued serving as the company’s chairman of the board until his death.
Ron said his father had a knack for identifying business opportunities others might deem risky or unusual. For instance, in its early days, the business offered stone in landscaping. Liberal use of stone was an uncommon practice at the time.
But Keith could tell what customers wanted and, as a result of his “bold, gutsy move,” the company grew, said Ron.
“He was always willing to take a chance and make that dream work,” he said.
Rick Rademann, Keith’s son and Rademann Stone’s current president, said Keith also excelled at hiring and promoting quality staff and setting clear, attainable goals.
A little elbow grease never hurt, either. Ron said everyone in the family, from Keith to his children, toiled for hours to make the business succeed. Ron said he and his siblings started working at Rademann Stone when they were about 12 years old, and they continued there through high school.
“He was pretty tough,” Ron said of his father. “He got us up early and out to work early, and you weren’t done until you were done.”
The family is still active in business. All the siblings are stockholders, Ron said.
Ron became an entrepreneur, opening Midpark Nurseries, a wholesale business, in Fond du Lac.
Rademann Stone is expected to stay a family-run business in the coming years. Now going on four generations, the company will likely continue Keith’s focus on hard work, creativity and consumer demand.
“My hopes and dreams would be to build on my father’s success by continuing to expand the corporation and businesses he started for the next generation,” said Rick. “(And) to continue to provide quality natural stone products and landscape services to meet the needs of current and future customers.”