Herman “Jim” Radig
Herman "Jim" Radig could write a book with all the interesting things that have happened in his life. He was born on a farm near Barney, ND and was the youngest of five boys. His mother, who secretly longed for a daughter, let his curly hair grow down to his shoulders causing great embarrassment for his older brothers. Eventually they convinced her to cut his hair.
A Man of Many Tales
After graduating from high school in Breckenridge, MN, Herman was torn between becoming a minister or a teacher. He attended a Lutheran college in St. Paul but ended up studying and playing football for three years at Concordia instead, where he eventually earned his teaching degree.
He moved in with a farm family and taught country school for awhile before getting a notice to report for military service. He applied was accepted to a 90-day officer candidate school in Rhode Island. He was assigned to an amphibious ship that patrolled between Korea and China.
Herman "Jim" Radig could write a book with all the interesting things that have happened in his life.
Herman left the service in 1955 and went back to college under the GI bill. A high school classmate contacted Herman, asking if he’d finish his wife’s teaching contract in Bagley MN, so they could move to Breckenridge where he was to join his father’s law practice. While in Bagley, Herman met and married Edith.
He and Edith, who was also a teacher, moved to the Red Lake Indian reservation to teach. Herman applied for a custom inspector’s job at Pembina during the summer and was asked to take a permanent position so in 1964 the family moved to Pembina. Here’s where his interesting stories kick into high gear.
As you might expect, Herman encountered many a strange situation while on duty during his 31 years as an inspector, especially during the midnight shifts. There was the time he discovered a snake in the gunny sack of a Canadian bar dancer; he still wonders who was more surprised, him or the snake. Another time he hosted a high school student shadow and needed to inspect a livestock truck coming through. “I remember the truck was quite old and there was a knothole in one of the boards and at eye level. I looked through it and stared directly into a tremendous eye on the other side. It was a buffalo. That is an unbelievable feeling,” he chuckles, as he admits that he prompted the student to look as well and scared the dickens out of him.
Herman and Edith raised six children, who blessed them with 15 grandchildren. After retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, including a memorable trip to Scotland. He has lots and lots of stories about the full life he’s experienced in his 80 years, but it’s memories of Edith, their children and all the grandchildren that puts a gleam in Herman’s eyes as he shares his tales in the halls of Bethany.