Robert "Bob" Wade

Robert “Bob” Wade, 69, of Evansville, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2016, to be with the Lord after a long battle with several illnesses. He was born December 25, 1946, in Evansville, to the late William “Bill” and Dorothy Wade.

He graduated from North High School in 1964 and joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a ship's boatswain. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL and served on the destroyer USS Meredith (DD-890). He completed two Mediterranean tours. Some of his fondest memories and best stories were of touring Italy, Greece, and France. After his military service, he met and married Mary Carnal. For several years he worked as a Vanderburgh County Deputy Sheriff. Following that, Bob and Mary moved to Newburgh where he worked as a blaster and welder at the Amax Coal Company Wright Mine and they started a family. He was a member of the UMWA Local. Following the mine shutdown, he worked as a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 136.

Bob loved animals, especially his late cats, Puddy and Cricket, and dog, Sugar. He rarely said no to any stray animals his children brought home over the years, and if he did he was quick to change his mind. He loved spending time with his grandsons and telling stories. Before he got too ill to travel, he enjoyed spending time on the west coast and loved the desert and the ocean.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Wendy of Los Angeles; son, Robert and his wife, Kary; grandsons, Forrest and Adam of Evansville; sister, Nancy and her husband, Tom Horstman, of St. Phillip; sister, Kathy and her husband, John Monyhan, of Evansville; his sister-in-law, Sandy of Plano, TX; and many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Private memorial services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to It Takes a Village Canine Rescue, http://itvrescue.org/. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.