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

FIRST General Forum
#34

We are at a total loss to hear of Mike’s passing…as Dave, Greg, and so many others have already said, Mike was an unbelievably intelligent, kind, thoughtful, caring, talented, and unassuming man, he was the embodiment of what FIRST is all about. We are grateful that he took a chance on our son and his school in originally funding and guiding 768 and we know he was proud of the team because he told them so - through his actions much more than words, but the kids all understood and responded in kind. In return, the team plans to continue to honor his memory by doing the things that would make Mike proud.

As a mentor and guide, he changed our family forever. Fred and I were fortunate enough to spend many pleasant hours at various events just talking to Mike about FIRST, mutual goals and dreams, and we cherish every moment we spent with him. His enthusiasm was contagious and we owe him thanks for influencing our strong commitment to FIRST and the wonderful community we have joined. We cannot imagine what the future of FIRST here in the area will be like without Mike’s smiling face, the wonderful fields he has built, his machine shop expertise, his unique insights, and his presence everywhere!

The Needel family and Team 768 extend our sincere condolences and heartfelt wishes to Mike’s wife, children and grandchildren and we pray that your memories and thoughts of this amazing and wonderful man will carry you through this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing…

Robyn

#35

I have had the pleasure to have known Mike through many of my years of FIRST. I will miss joking with him, and his compassion for students and FIRST.

#36

omg…I met Mike at the 225 event in 2004. Never EVER have I met a man so willing to put up his time and his resources to better the lives of young people… He will truely be missed.

May you rest in peace Mike.

#37

Wow. When I can get goosebumps reading about all of the wonderful things a person I’ve never met has done, I’m sure he must have been an amazing man.

On behalf of team 226, I’d like to extend my condolences to Mr.Wade’s family and friends.

Thanks for everything you’ve done for FIRST Mr.Wade.

~Smita

#38

I did not know Mike, but from the words and comments above he sounds like an awesome person who has made a positive impact on many, many lives.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very challenging time.

#39

I’m in shock. Mike was a fantastic member of the FIRST family, and will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family.

The picture is from after the Philadelphia Regional in 2003, where Mike was hanging out in the lobby of the Sheraton with team 422 (my home team, who I had mentored that year).

philly036.jpg


philly036.jpg

#40

On behalf of team 1923 and my family, I’d like to extend my condolences to Mike Wade’s friends and family. He was an amazing contributor to the FIRST community, and he will be missed.

#41

Today is truly a sad day for so many people. Whether you knew Mike or not he has certainly helped you in so many ways. Mike was a good friend, a pillar of FIRST and an incredible man. It would take 100 men to replace what he has done for us all.

On a personal level he was certainly a friend and savior to Team 341. Way back in the Fall 2002, our team was in serious trouble. We were unable to get a FIRST field for Ramp Riot and we had lost our main sponsor. Mike stepped in to save our event and our season, bringing a playing field to Ramp Riot and helping us to win a NASA grant.

Every year since that time, our kids have anxiously awaited his arrival in November to help us with set up for Ramp Riot. I too waited with excitement for his arrival because I knew that the field came along with a caring, patient mentor that truly worked with our kids. He gave so much to us, yet all he ever asked for was a place to sleep, a few dollars for gas, and a handshake. He was one of the most giving and selfless people you could ever meet. Mike was also just a nice person full of enthusiasm and patience.

He has changed so many lives, including mine. I am proud to have known Mike and extremely THANKFUL for all of the events he has supported in this region and across the nation. There is no way to count up how many kids he has inspired.

This is a sad day for everyone, but most importantly Mike’s immediate family.

Please say a prayer for Mike’s wife and family. They gave us so much by allowing him to spend time with us.

Al Ostrow
Team 341

#42

The loss of Mike Wade leaves a huge hole in the heart of FIRST in the mid-Atlantic and New England. When I heard the news, I called Al Ostrow and we talked about it, and I think Mr. O summed up Mike as well as any words possibly can:

“Mike was one of those guys who did so much for so many people that I don’t think any single person knows the number of lives he’s touched. He’s the kind of guy that you would need one thousand people to replace, and even then they probably wouldn’t do nearly as good a job.”

RIP.

#43

When I heard the news about Mike, I was speechless. It was very fitting that so many people directly affected by Mike were in the midst of doing what Mike is best known for by many - participating in a FIRST off-season competition. Many of us heard the sad news for the first time during the PA Robot Challenge on Saturday. If you must hear news like this, having others close by, who also appreciate your loss, helps the grieving process.

I have known Mike for years. He offered his NASA playing field to MOE 365 and 316 for our Duel on the Delaware off-season event, now entering it’s sixth year. As Al Ostrow stated, we looked forward to catching up with Mike in the fall. I personally enjoyed his stories about his escapades with FIRST. He never ran out of stories to share.

Mike gave so much of himself for FIRST. It wasn’t easy for him, but he did it and garnered so many positive results. His selfless gestures and behind-the-scenes victories allowed literally thousands of students the opportunity to interact with FIRST face-to-face. When we hear about Dean’s goal of having a FIRST event within driving distance of everyone, it was Mike Wade who truly helped realize this goal.

Many of us owe so much to Mike for what he has done and to his family for sharing him with us.

Words cannot describe the sadness I feel and how deeply Mike will be missed. He was an awesome man and a fantastic role model.

Rest in peace, my friend.

#44

I was at PARC when I heard the news, like lots of others. While I didn’t get the privilage to actually meet and interact with Mike, I have and my team has benifited from his involvement in FIRST. You could feel that Mike was at the event that day.

You will be missed.

#45

I too offer my condolences to Mike Wade’s Family.

I only met Mike once, at the Maryland State Fair back in 2002. To this day I remembered him, and what he had done. He was a very down to earth guy, who really wanted to promote FIRST using all of his available resources. I do hope that FIRST recognizes him at the kick-off next year.

As a tribute to Mike here are some video of him as a MC at the Maryland State Fair
http://www.rhodewarrior.org/video/2002/matches/MD%20State%20Fair/

#46

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.

#47

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.

#48

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

#49

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.

#50

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 pictureon 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.

#51

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.

#52

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

#53

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

http://www.legacy.com/baltimoresun/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=88067141