George Robert Wade MD, the Gentleman Pediatrician

George Robert Wade died on Feb. 11, 2014, at the age of 95.

“Bob” born Dec. 29, 1918, was Anna Baldwin and George Garland Wade’s only child. They lived in Madison, N.J., and briefly, during Bob’s childhood, in Chicago, Ill.

He was a graduate of Amherst College in 1940 and University of Pennsylvania College of Medicine in 1944.

World War II broke out and he served his country on the US Navy hospital ship Mercy as the ship’s psychiatrist.

Dr. Wade then served his internship in McKinney, Texas, and then residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where he met and married Ann Gray Dolan of Devon, Pa.

Dr. Wade joined Dr. Emlen Stokes’s practice in Moorestown, N.J., in 1949 and worked there until 1953 when Ann Gray and Bob moved to Chester Springs, Pa. He established a pediatric practice in Paoli. Dr. Wade and Ann Gray divorced in 1960, but remained the best of friends. They spent most holidays and special occasions together until she died in July of 2013.

Dr. Wade was instrumental in establishing the Paoli Hospital at its current location in 1969, and was Medical Staff President from 1970 to 1972. Dr. Steve Townend joined the practice in 1978. Dr. Wade attended to his practice from 1953 until his 70th birthday in 1988. In 1990, Dr. Wade was honored when the nursery in the obstetrics unit of Paoli Hospital was named “The George R. Wade Nursery.”

After Dr. Wade retired he remained an active volunteer at the Paoli Hospital and with the Recording for The Blind. He was an avid alumnus of Amherst College and enjoyed attending the reunions. Dr. Wade loved to play golf at Gulph Mills Golf Club. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1997 and then to McKinney, Texas, where he and his friend David Atlas spent the last 10 years of his life together. Dr. Wade’s family will always be grateful to David for the care and friendship he provided Dr. Wade; especially in his last years of life.

Dr. Wade was the definition of an elegantly dressed gentleman and embodied the ideals of a family doctor. He had a delightful smile and he was adored by his patients, friends and family. Dr. Wade, or “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren, was always interested in and supportive of their lives. He will be dearly missed, but we are comforted that he had a long, fulfilling life and was able to spend his last years in good spirits at his home with friends.

Dr. Wade will continue to be a fine example of someone who served his community, family and friends for many years.

Dr. Wade is survived by his two daughters, Pamela Wade Latta and Priscilla Wade Belsinger, his grandchildren: William James Latta Jr., Dr. Priscilla Latta, George Robert Wade Latta, and Nicholas Dolan Reynolds, and his seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial will take place spring.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Paoli Hospital.

Arrangements are by Stuard Funeral Home of Ardmore. service in the

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