After retiring from 28 years' active duty with the United State Air Force in 1979, chief master sergeant Gaedke joined the Clovis (NM) High School Air Force Junior ROTC and served with distinction as assistant aerospace science instructor for seven years. He then went to Eastern New Mexico University where he earned a B.S. degree, summa cum laude, (1988) and an M.Ed (1989). He taught in the university's teacher education program and subsequently taught in the social studies department at Clovis H.S. where he also was assistant coach track and volleyball, and reading department at Clovis Community College. Recognizing his distinctive accomplishment in the education studies department of ENMU, the board of regents conferred upon him instructor emeritus of educational foundations upon his retirement in 2006. Continuing to serve in full and part time capacities at the university and doing volunteer work as public address announcer for five Clovis high school sports for 35 years, the university conferred upon him the distinguiished faculty emeritus award and his plaque appears on the wall of honors in the College of Eduction and Technology at ENMU. Five days after his induction, he was inducted into the Clovis Municipal Schools Purple Pride (the Clovis Wildcats) Hall of Honors as the 2014 TOP CAT. He was a United States masters track and field champion in the 400 and 600 meter events and four event all-American in the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meter events. As of May 2014 he continued to as adjunct instructor at ENMU-Portales and "voice of the Wildcats."