Robert Michael “Bob” Wade, 93, of Wabash, Indiana, died on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Parkview Wabash Hospital, following a short illness. He was born to Claude and Eva (McGlennen) Wade, on September 23, 1929, in Defiance, Ohio. He lived most of his life in Indiana; Peru, Silver Lake, North Manchester, Wabash.
Robert was a 1947 graduate of Silver Lake High School in Silver Lake, Indiana. Robert was a proud Purdue Boilermaker and was a Chemical Engineering graduate in 1952. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Korean Conflict.
He married Joan Brooke (Hettler) on October 9, 1953 at the Walnut Street Church of the Brethren in North Manchester. They lived in North Manchester and moved to Wabash, where they gifted their children with a childhood full of love, faith and fun.
Bob and his wife, Josie were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Wabash, where they sang in the choir for more than sixty years. They also loved local theatre and performed in shows for more than thirty years with Wabash Area Community Theatre. As recently as this past September, Bob performed in Guys and Dolls. Bob and Josie also directed and performed in Variety Shows in Palmetto Palms, Ft Myers, Florida where they wintered for decades.
He worked for General Tire in Wabash, Anaconda Wire and Cable in Marion and Cablec in Indianapolis. He was the holder of eight patents focusing on the wire and cable industry. He was a math tutor, a Sunday School teacher, Scout Leader and Meals on Wheels volunteer. Bob was a member of the Wabash Kiwanis Club and also co-organized the Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial Exhibit in Wabash. He was an avid reader, lifelong learner, and recently enjoyed writing skits for church.
He is survived by his three children, Angela B. (Michael) Beauchamp, Wabash, Todd R. (Debbie) Wade of Carmel, Indiana, and Julie M. Kinzer (Eric Jones), of Wabash, nine grandchildren, Parker (Katie) Beauchamp of Wabash, IN and Boulder, Colorado, Chelsea B. (Ryan) Rediger of Fishers, Indiana, Hayley (Ty) Renbarger of Wabash, Mark Wade (Emily Gavel) of Denver, Colorado, Tim (Blair) Wade of Rockville, Indiana, Michael Wade of Carmel, Indiana, Taylor (Samantha) Kinzer, Derek (Kayla) Kinzer, both of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jordan Kinzer – US Navy, stationed in San Diego, CA, ten great-grandchildren, Henry Beauchamp, Cora Beauchamp, Neveah Rediger, Ruby Rediger, Beckett Shaw, Florence Renbarger, Walker Wade, Aurora Kinzer, Dawson Kinzer, Asher Kinzer.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Josie, his parents, Claude and Eva, two brothers, Claude M. and Richard Wade,
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 8, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, with Rev. Nathan Whybrew officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake. Friends may call 5-8 pm Friday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave. Wabash.
Preferred memorials are Wabash Area Community Theatre (WACT) or the First United Methodist Church Choir.
The memorial guest book for Bob may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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