Edwin Lee Wade 1932-2018

Edwin Lee Wade, 86, died Friday, Aug. 17. He was born Jan. 26, 1932.

Edwin attended Columbia University and received his master's degree in international law from the University of Chicago. He was subsequently appointed vice consul in the State Department, where he met his wife, Nancy (Sells) Wade, also a vice consul. Under State Department rules at the time, Mrs. Wade was compelled to resign her position, whereupon Mr. Wade took a position in the private sector with Chrysler in Geneva, Switzerland. He returned to the U.S. in 1961 and worked as an intelligence analyst for the CIA from 1961 until 1965. After continuing legal studies at night, he received his law degree from Georgetown University, whereupon Edwin moved to the Chicago area and built a successful career as an attorney. He retired as corporate secretary for U.S. Gypsum Corporation in 1993.

A child of the depression, Edwin had a passion for the policies of the New Deal, and the new structures of international law that followed World War II. He was the author of two books on constitutional law. Edwin admired the beauty of the Metropolitan Opera, the grace of Joe Di Maggio, and the wisdom of Yogi Berra. His gardening skills, honed with victory gardens as a child during World War II, found their full expression in later life.

He was preceded in death by a brother, William, in 1935; by his father, James; his mother, Helen; and his wife of 57 years, Nancy. 

He is survived by two sons, James Lee (Katherine Gordon) of San Diego, Calif.; and Jeffrey Kim (Marcella Beni) of Chicago; in addition to two grandchildren, Bronwen Elizabeth Wade of Sacramento, Calif.; and Gethin Stuart Wade of Phoenix, Ariz.