Roland (Chuck) Wade

Roland Glenn Wade was born on August 30, 1937 in Sedalia, Missouri, to Hazel Marian Nuckols Wade and Ashley Brookshire Wade. He was the younger brother of Richard Neil Wade, Marian Brooks Whitehouse, and Margaret Ann Wade.

Roland grew up under the guidance and tutelage of Ms. Lyda M. Burress, a longtime principal of Broadway Elementary School in Sedalia. He attended Broadway School and graduated at the end of his seventh year in 1949.

Among the many memorable teachers at Broadway was Ms. Marion Keens, who shared her artistic talent by sketching a profile of each member of the graduating class for the students to take home to their parents as a Christmas gift.

After Broadway, Roland attended Smith-Cotton High School. He remained in contact always with many friends from his high school. During his high school years, Roland worked for Lady Renshaw during the summer and on weekends. She was the daughter of Dr. Canady, a physician who founded the State Fair Floral Company and developed a successful correspondence curriculum for people interested in the floriculture profession.

Roland enrolled at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, where he majored in Plant Science. In September 1955, he pledged FarmHouse fraternity. During his years with Farm House, he worked as a kitchen manager in exchange for his room and board. Well into his 80’s he was an avid cook and baker, and loved preparing food for friends.

His passion for horticulture continued to grow. While working in the Horticulture Department under Dr. Delbert Hill, a professor specializing in strawberries, Roland learned the intricate process of extracting strawberry seeds for plant breeding. The seeds were carefully separated from the fruit without damaging them, then planted in flats using specifically numbered crosses. The seedlings were later transplanted into fields, where they were carefully observed and evaluated for qualities such as flavor, color, durability, and overall performance.

Roland graduated from the University of Missouri in May 1959.

After graduation, he flew to Boston to begin working at the Christian Science Benevolent Association and Gardens. Among his associates was Eugene Anderson from Indiana. He worked under a gentleman from Vermont, assisted by Elmer Louis. One of Roland’s first assignments was to plant a bed of geraniums near the entrance of the Benevolent Association.

After approximately a year and a half, Roland was drafted into the United States Army on October 3, 1960. He trained with the U.S. Army Security Agency and was assigned to Fort Richardson in Alaska.

While serving with the Security Agency, Roland obtained a position as caretaker of the agency’s guest house. There, he assisted manager Elma Smith in preparing rooms for Army personnel who had recently arrived in Alaska. These were often officers and their families who needed temporary accommodations while waiting for permanent housing.

Roland was fascinated by Alaska’s unique growing conditions. He observed the remarkable flowers growing near the Catholic Church across from the guest house and made an effort to create a flower bed along the edge of the property. He was amazed by how well plants grew during Alaska’s extended summer daylight and in its rich soil.

He served at Fort Richardson from March 1961 until July 1963, when he was released from military service at the Army base in Tacoma, Washington.

In the fall of 1963, Roland embarked on an international adventure. He traveled by ship to Hull, England. From England, Roland traveled across the English Channel to the Netherlands. He remembered traveling by train and being fascinated by the Dutch people’s homes.

Roland then traveled to Hamburg, Germany, where he was met at the train station by Ludolf Wachholz. He eventually found work at the Plapunkt factory as an unskilled machinist with a work schedule alternating between early morning and afternoon shifts. When the work began taking a toll on his health and well-being, he spoke with people at the factory, and they helped him find a room on the grounds of the Plapunkt facility.

He eventually returned to the United States by ship, arriving in New York.

While at Grand Central Station during the World’s Fair, Roland mentioned that he was looking for a place to stay. A man overheard him and told him that his mother had a room available for rent in Flushing, Queens. Roland stayed with the Nourijanian family, a wonderful Armenian family who welcomed him into their home.

Harry Nourijanian, who was very interested in the World’s Fair, told Roland about the new Queens Botanical Garden on Main Street and suggested that he might enjoy working there. Roland followed his advice and was hired to work on the grounds as a gardener.

He remained at the Queens Botanical Garden throughout the summer. When the World’s Fair ended, Roland left an application with Martin Flayter, the director of the garden.

Later, Roland received a letter informing him that a new position as groundskeeper would be opening at the Queens Botanical Garden. That opportunity marked the beginning of a remarkable career dedicated to horticulture and education.

At the Queens Botanical Garden, Roland progressed from gardener to garden supervisor and eventually became Executive Director in October 1978. He served as Executive Director from 1978 through 1984, helping guide the garden during an important period in its history.

Roland’s love of horticulture and his desire to share his knowledge with others continued throughout his life. He went on to teach horticultural science at John Bowne High School in Flushing, Queens, for 20 years, where he had the opportunity to educate and inspire generations of students through his knowledge and passion for plants, gardening, and horticulture.

After two decades of teaching, Roland retired in 2004.

Roland Glenn Wade lived a life marked by curiosity, adventure, hard work, education, and an enduring love of horticulture. From his childhood in Sedalia, to his years at the University of Missouri, his military service in Alaska, his travels across the United States and Europe, his work at the Queens Botanical Garden, and his two decades as a teacher, Roland touched many lives through his knowledge, stories, and dedication.

His legacy lives on in the gardens he helped cultivate, the students he taught, the people he met throughout his remarkable travels, and the memories he leaves with those who knew and loved him.

May his memory forever remain a blessing.

Visitation will be held at Frederick Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358, US, on September 8, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A service will be held during the visitation at 6pm.

Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sedalia, MO.

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