It is with mixed emotions that I write this message.

Radle Electric was launched by my husband Joe Radle and me just a few months after we first met in 2005, and we enjoyed working side by side while diligently aiming to become Central Pennsylvania’s premier residential electrical contractors. With more than 50% of our sales from returning customers, we had achieved that goal, and we were humbled when our customers awarded us multiple Angie’s List Super Service Awards plus Harrisburg Magazine’s Simply the Best and Readers’ Choice Awards. Our commitment to our community over the years was evident, from our participation with numerous local programs including Hampden Township’s Adopt-a-Highway and Lower Allen’s Police Department Night Out, to our active involvement with numerous veteran organizations including LEEK and Hampden Township’s Veterans Recognition Committee. We founded Hampden Township’s Passion for Mother’s Flowers Memorial Garden, and Joe regularly gave back to his alma mater, Dauphin County Technical School, where he met, hired, and successfully mentored numerous teenagers who blossomed into skilled electricians under his tutelage.

In addition to a business owner, Joe Radle was an Air Force Veteran, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Perhaps his time in the Air Force contributed to his work ethic, but I know it was my mother-in-law and father-in-law who had the biggest hand in their son Joe being the most honorable man I have ever known. I can give you a few examples as relates to Radle Electric, for example when he would arrive at a residence to be told by homeowners that another electrician told them they needed to immediately get a (ridiculously expensive) new panel but after inspection Joe explained to a grateful customer that there was nothing wrong with the panel. Or the countless times he stayed on the phone to walk customers through resetting breakers and GFCIs or track down a mysterious noise. Joe’s caring was real.

August 2024, my husband died unexpectedly in a tragic accident at the young age of 55 when at the place he loved – where we spent every spare weekend developing our dream retirement camp in Tornado, West Virginia – and doing the thing he loved – riding the UTV around our property with his roadie, our pup Wynn, in the passenger seat.

“Why the pet-friendly tag line?” is the question we were most often asked. Because the love we had for our pets – we knew matched by customers’ love for their pets – required us to respect customers’ pets because, after all, they live in the home while we were simply a guest doing a job.

I miss Joe profoundly. And I know many of our closest customers – friends – will also miss Joe and the excellent customer service we provided for 20 years including the seven months I kept the company running after Joe’s passing. But now is the time for me to close Radle Electric and move to our West Virginia camp where Joe’s spirit is strong and where I can live out the retirement that Joe and I dreamed about. So I conclude my mixed emotions message with this invitation – if you like camping, hiking, or are a veteran who needs a break, please stop by our Tornado, West Virginia camp and stay a while… www.BearCaveCamp.com.

Warmest Regards,

Laura Lee Lukunich