Richard Wade

Richard (Rich) Sanders Wade, 57, of Capitan, New Mexico, died at his home on June 20, 2023, after enduring the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease for more than 10 years.

Rich was born August 14, 1965, in Staunton, VA, to Campbell M. Wade and MaryJane Wade (nee Stewart).  He married Stephenie Luna on December 16, 1990, in Mescalero NM at the Inn of The Mountain Gods. 

He graduated from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico May 1993, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.  He worked for several companies and eventually formed a company with some coworkers called Alta Data Technologies.

Rich retired from the New Mexico National Guard at the rank of Major.  Before being commissioned as an officer, he served as a Weapons Sergeant on an operational detachment (A Team) in the 12^th Special Forces Group (Army Reserve) where he proudly earned his parachutist badge and green beret.  He later served as an artillery officer, a TAC officer for, and later the commander of, the Officer Candidate School in Santa Fe; and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2009 where he earned the Bronze Star Medal for service and the Combat Action Badge. 

Rich is survived by his father, his wife, a sister, a brother, a stepsister, two stepbrothers, his two children Kristin and Eric and Ember his granddaughter.  He was predeceased by his mother MaryJane Stewart Wade, and his older brother, Stewart Conrad Wade.

A military service is scheduled for October 6, 2023, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 10:30 am.  A white star ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 11:30 am at Saddle Creek Cowboy Church in Capitan, NM. Rich will also be interred at his home in Capitan New Mexico.

Any donations can be made in his name to Rock Steady Boxing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.