Sad Sad day for FIRST.....RIP Mike Wade

[Rich Kressly]

Here's the realization of Mike's dream. The 2003 Chesapeake Regional. http://www.mitc.org/first/2003photo_gallery_usna.htm

and here's Mike receiving the volunteer of the year award from RD Carol Kauffman (in those days she was RD for Philly and MD):
http://www.mitc.org/first/g-2003-0072-034.jpg

Yep, that's Steve Chism (FIRSTs Sr. Director of Programs) in the background. Emcee and fellow event architect with Mike.

[Bharat Nain]

Outside of my team, Mike Wade was one of the FIRST people I worked with in FIRST. I met him while setting up the field for brunswick eruption in 2004. From the very first interaction I knew Mike was totally selfless, dedicated, calm and intelligent. His dedication to FIRST has inspired myself and many others to stick close to this program. His work between NASA and FIRST has gained immense positive results for the whole community. As others have said earlier, he is a pillar in the FIRST society and I hope there are others to step up and contribute to society like he did. My sincere condolences to Mike's family and close friends. He will be missed.

[Hiteak]

I never got to meet Mike, but he influenced others who eventually brought me into FIRST. I wish I could have met him after hearing how he has influenced the FIRST community. I offer my condolences to Mike Wade's Family

[Kims Robot]

I wish I knew what to say. Mike was a truly wonderful and completely selfless man, and I think the news is not quite making sense to me yet.

Mike brought the field to the Ruckus last year, and after having used a FIRST field on our own in our initial year, I cannot tell you what worlds of difference it was to have him around. But as I sat there after the regional, realizing how much easier he had made everything, I also thought about how long of a drive it was for him, how he was spending so much time away from his family, and how often he did that (each weekend surrounding our event was yet another offseason event he was traveling to). This man gave so much more to the FIRST community than any of us can ever hope to realize. I hope he knew that and I wish he were still here. At the moment I cant imagine any tribute that could even touch the level of commitment he had to helping all of us, but I think we should try.

My condolences to his family... he will be very much missed.

[petek]

I imagine Mike will be missed by pretty much everyone whom he ever came in contact with. When you talked to Mike, he made you feel that talking with you was important to him, and he made time for everyone. The picture on the UFH note says volumes about Mike - every time I saw him and in every picture of him I've seen, he looked like he was where he wanted to be and doing what he wanted to do. That is, helping others.

My sympathies go out to the Wades - and my thanks for sharing him with us for all those years.

[Nica F.]

Even though I have never met him, I've heard stories from teammates who have worked with him and they have spoken about him with great respect. I have heard about him being completely selfless, extremely helpful, and as inspiring as anyone could be.

On behalf of team 4, Condolences to Mike Wade's family, and to all who know him.

[Dorienne]

Mike Wade was a man I've admired since I started FIRST. He was always there to greet me and tease me about one thing or another, but he did it with love.

I always looked forward to competitions so that I could see him, whether it be the Chesapeake Regional or the yearly Playdate at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. He always would stop and say hi, despite how busy he always was.

It really is hard to believe he's gone. I never would have expected it, especially so soon. He was so young and full of life.

God be with you, Mike. I'll truly miss you.

Love always,
Dori Plait

[RoboMom]

There is an online guestbook and details about the funeral posted in the Baltimore Sun today.

http://www.legacy.com/baltimoresun/D...sonID=88067141

[Carol]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

There is an online guestbook and details about the funeral posted in the Baltimore Sun today.

http://www.legacy.com/baltimoresun/D...sonID=88067141

I encourage everyone to sign the online guestbook at the link above - Mike meant a lot to many of us, so this is a good way to show his family how much we care.

[dlavery]

Many people have been asking about making donations in Mike’s memory. The family has just established a memorial fund which will be transferred into a scholarship fund in his name once they have the time to deal with the details. For anyone interested in doing so, donations made out to the “Mike Wade Memorial Fund” may be sent to:

Westminster Union Bank
attn: Marty Harrison
117 East Main Street
P.O.Box 29
Westminster, MD 21158


-dave

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Many people have been asking about making donations in Mike’s memory. The family has just established a memorial fund which will be transferred into a scholarship fund in his name once they have the time to deal with the details. For anyone interested in doing so, donations made out to the “Mike Wade Memorial Fund” may be sent to:

Westminster Union Bank
attn: Marty Harrison
117 East Main Street
P.O.Box 29
Westminster, MD 21158


-dave

Brandon, or any admin, is there a way to make this a sticky on the main portal so everyone can see it?

[whytheheckme]

Originally Posted by Kyle

Brandon, or any admin, is there a way to make this a sticky on the main portal so everyone can see it?

Not to state the obvious, but for future reference, here is the thread:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=57511

RIP Mike Wade.

Jacob

[Beth Sweet]

To the FIRST Community:

It is with deepest sadness that we share news of the sudden passing of Mike Wade on Saturday, May 12. This is a very sad loss for our friends at NASA and for the entire FIRST community.

Mike exemplified the spirit of FIRST with his Gracious Professionalism and ability to inspire so many young people and fellow volunteers. He was a valuable friend to FIRST and a great person work with. All who knew him are the better for it. We remember Mike with tremendous gratitude for his passion and dedication, and we will all miss his enthusiasm and many contributions to the FIRST programs and community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike's family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

In memory of Mike, we have asked three of our FIRST colleagues who knew him well to contribute their thoughts below.

Paul Gudonis,
FIRST President

Carol Kauffman, FIRST Regional Director:
Mike Wade, energetic, dedicated, and inspiring, was a gentleman who gave consistently and graciously of himself. He exemplified the magic of FIRST.

For four years, I was honored to serve as Regional Director of the Chesapeake Regional with Mike as the co-founder and committee co-chairman. Mike enthusiastically provided leadership and worked tirelessly so each and every student and mentor would have the greatest possible experience. He was so proud as his students competed and learned at the US Naval Academy. He was a remarkable person with a huge heart who unselfishly gave of his time and his outstanding technical skills and expertise.

He was also so proud of his arena, constantly explaining the time clocks, control systems, and displays. Not only did Mike use this arena to allow teams to practice prior to the event, and during the events, but he drove it up and down the East coast for all of our off-season events, all year long. Proclaimed by all as the Pied Piper of FIRST, he made sure each off-season competition was fair and fun for all, as well as being an incredible learning experience. His mobile machine shop at the FIRST Championship was a place to experience machining at its finest. He was committed, hardworking, and responsible, someone you could count on and go to anytime.

Mike Wade represented the best of FIRST, he was truly a great FIRST hero and a great friend.

Dave Lavery, NASA:
Mike's sudden passing is a tremendous shock to all of us. Many know Mike from his tireless efforts to provide a competition field and arena set-up at every competition event that needed one. He was constantly driving his field and Mobile Machine Shop truck across virtually the entire eastern half of the country. However, Mike provided much, much more to the NASA and FIRST communities - the contributions that he made comprise a very lengthy and impressive list. But preferring to remain out of the limelight, Mike was unassuming, graceful under pressure, and the very model of humility. Whenever possible Mike would much rather be in the machine shop in the back room than out in front with the crowds. Mike believed in making his contributions behind the scenes, and it was there that he had his greatest impact as he worked directly with every student that he could. Mike was a good friend, a wonderful participant in the NASA programs, and a mentor extraordinaire. The impact of his loss will be felt for a very long time, and he will be tremendously missed.

Steve Chism, FIRST Senior Director of Programs:
Mike Wade will be greatly missed, not only in the FIRST and NASA communities, but in the community of society in general. A great friend, mentor, father, husband, and all-around guy, Mike was the embodiment of the Essence of Success in all that he did:

"Successful is the person who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much,
who has gained the respect of children,
who leaves the world better than they found it,
who has never lacked appreciation for the earth's beauty,
who never fails to look for the best in others
or give the best of themselves."

May God bless Mike Wade and his family.

[Freddy Schurr]

Mike Wade was a defining character for the FIRST community. He contributed of all his time and resources to seeing today’s young people strive in the fields of science, engineering and technology. I met Mike through volunteering at regional competitions and off-season events and it was always great hearing his stories about FIRST and how he was inspiring young people and adults to participate in the FIRST competition. This is a tremendous lost for the FIRST community and all the people who had a chance to know Mike for who he was and how he was able to deliver his message to FIRST.

My sympathies go out to the Wade’s family.

[RoboMom]

http://www.chesapeakefirst.org/mikewade.html

There is a tribute page to Mike on the ChesapeakeFIRST website. Please send Lisa any photos you would like included. Her email in on the site.

Mike’s funeral and burial was held yesterday. There was a gathering of Mike’s family and friends, his co-workers from NASA, his friends and admirers from 4-H and from FIRST, and there were so many stories. Mike’s children and his wife Sherry each spoke at the funeral about Mike’s life. There were 300 people who attended the viewing on Thursday night.

Mike will be so missed by so many.