George A Wade

Our family and friends mourn the passing of George A. Wade. George was innovative, hard-working, determined and fair. He was a pioneer, and a loving father and grandfather. He was 82 and will be missed and remembered with love.

George Arthur Wade III was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Union, New Jersey the middle of three children. As a youth George cultivated the independence that would mark his character for a lifetime. Summers at camp initiated his love for the outdoors, and his first self-organized canoe trip on the Delaware river taught him how to survive a rain-flooded tent. Indeed, young-George learned many lessons. Whether getting sent home from kindergarten for failing to nap, a trip to the police station for finding a nickel, answering for a rogue swim during school lunch, or the agony of suspension from after-school athletics for a D in language (deflating the teachers tires notwithstanding), George developed a sense of self and fairness that guided his life and engendered the support of those around him despite his occasional troublemaking.

George graduated from Union High School in New Jersey and received degrees in kinesiology (physical education) at the University of Michigan. His first love was coaching, and he coached track and field at Michigan and the University of Tennessee before enrolling in and graduating from the University of Tennessee medical school. Dr. Geoge A. Wade then returned to Michigan for residencies in physical medicine and orthopedic surgery focused on sports medicine and work with athletes. After a fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, Dr. Wade moved to Boise, Idaho and established the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute, the iconic clinic at the south end of Bronco (Albertson’s) Stadium, serving as Boise State Athletics team physician for more than 30 years and working with athletes and lovers of sport for the rest of his life.

George was an accomplished athlete. At Union High School, he set records in the 400 meters and pole vault, won a State Indoor Championship, and was 1960 Eastern States Champion in pole vault. At the University of Michigan, George finished third place at the Big Ten Championships in pole vault and was Big Ten Champion in the 4x400 meter relay. He finished third place in the 4x400m at the 1964 NCAA Championships and earned “All-American” honors. In medical school, George played rugby and, during his residency, was introduced to rafting and kayaking on the wild and scenic rivers of Idaho. It was George’s love of the outdoors and whitewater that brought him to Idaho permanently, where he spent his free time with friends and family paddling, backcountry skiing, camping, mountain biking and hiking across the region and beyond.

A stoutly independent man, George embodied the spirit of the old West. He blazed his own trail, always searching for personal passion over riches, and pioneering new paths, methods and structures as needed. He was a gracious man who gave most credit for his

pathfinding and success to the coaches, teachers and mentors who supported his journey. George believed in gratitude and to support the journeys of others he gave generously, always in the name of others, to many causes throughout his life – most especially youth, youth sports and education.

Dr. George A. Wade was a loyal and generous friend who touched the lives of many. He was simple, direct and honest: a man with whom you knew where you stood, and a handshake was a still a contract. He believed in the power of education. He was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather who’s most cherished experiences included rowing his 70-year-old father down the Middle Fork of the Salmon, a year spent as an assistant coach to his son prior to the 2012 Olympics, and watching each new feat of his grandchildren’s development. We will all miss him dearly.

George is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Don. He is survived by his sister Barbara, his son Jim, daughter-in-law Laura, and three grandchildren Lucien, Jules and Zoe.

A celebration of life for Dr. George A. Wade will be held Sunday, July 27th from 2 – 5 PM in the Double R Ranch Club at Boise State University's Stueckle Sky Center at Albertsons Stadium. Photos and stories are welcome to be brought and shared with the family. The family does not ask for monetary gifts but, if desired, gifts can be made to the Dr. George A. Wade Charitable Giving Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation – established and funded by George’s family and friends to perpetuate a legacy of giving in his name. Gifts may also be made to the Boise State Training Room, the Idaho Youth Sports Commission, the YMCA or any child in need.