Douglas M. Wade

Born May 31, 1936 to Harry V. & Agnes L. Wade, Doug graduated from Park School (now Park Tudor) in 1954, and graduated from Indiana University in 1958. While at Indiana University he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where in his senior year he led the annual watermelon festival, a school wide affair at the beginning of the school year. Doug was also a member of the Singing Hoosiers.

Doug was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army where he was trained as a Quartermaster (supply) Officer at Fort Lee, Virginia. He then was assigned as a supply officer for the U.S. Army Security Agency in Frankfurt, Germany. After completion of his army obligation, he joined City Securities Corp (now called Stiefel Corp). Later in his career he joined Goelzer and Company, which later became Goelzer Investment Management Company from where he retired in 2016 as a Senior Vice President.

Doug made a wise choice in marrying Ann Joan Thomas on June 16, 1962, who passed away on October 13, 2023, and is survived by his three sons Tom (Dan Roose), Steve (Teresa), and Dave (Claire), and his four grandchildren Madeleine, Gregory, Laura, and Allison.

Doug served on several boards, and was Chairman of the Board of the Indianapolis Public Housing Authority from 1978 to 1980. He also was Chairman pro tem of the Lawrence Township board which oversaw the transfer from a volunteer fire department to a permanent full time staff. The board also built 3 fire stations, including a new headquarters.

Doug was president of the Indiana State Museum Society (now called the Indiana State Museum Foundation) and helped raise $25 million to enhance the exhibitions for the current Indiana State Museum which opened in 2002. Doug became a member of the trustees for the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and helped build it from a grassroots organization to a major player in the conservation field for the State of Indiana.

Doug's oldest son Tom joined the Boy Scouts, and Doug stood around too long so he became the Scout Master, Troop Committee Chairman, and the Council Treasurer. He made three trips to the national scout ranch called Philmont located in northeastern New Mexico. He was proud that all three of his sons became Eagle Scouts.

Doug and Ann joined Second Presbyterian Church in 1984 where he served as moderator of the deacons, and also as chairman of the administration committee for the Session.

Doug was one of the three founders of the Festival Music Society, now called the Early Music Society. He served as a Treasurer and President of the Players Club, and President of the Contemporary Club. He was a member of the Service Club, and one of the longest standing members of the Woodstock Club.

Services will be held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Thursday April 9, 2026. There will be a calling in the church parlor at 10:30am with a service at 12pm, followed by a private burial at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy, The Indiana State Museum and Second Presbyterian Church.