Wayne Quade

Wayne Maurice Quade

Wayne Quade was born to Francis and Virginia Quade in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on March 22, 1941, and grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church. He passed away on July 4, 2025.

Early in his youth he became passionate about Boy Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout in 1958, and later an Explorer Scout. Wayne graduated from Leelanau Boarding School in Glen Arbor, Michigan, and attended the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, graduating with a B.S. degree.

After graduation, he served in the U.S. Airforce for four years, working as a technician on Air Force bombers at a U.S. base. He then attended the University of Montana and graduated with a M.S. Degree in Natural Resource Management.

He started his 37 years of service with the U.S. Forest Service in Alaska, Montana, and Colorado. After retirement, he continued to advocate for natural resources locally with the Parks and Recreation Districts and traveled to Washington, D.C., on several occasions to lobby Congress on their behalf.

He was a passionate outdoors adventurer and natural resource advisor, and leader in Boy Scouts of America. He recently received a 70-years of Service to Scouting Award. He attended four World Jamborees, four National Jamborees and was a dedicated educator at Philmont Camp.

He was decorated with the rarely awarded, Daniel Carter Beard Medal in 2016, and is only the eleventh person to receive the award in Colorado. This award was created to honor Masons committed to bringing the ideals of scouting to young men. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Scottish Rites, and the Eastern Stars.

He was co-founder of the Montrose Citizen’s Climate Lobby and a board member of the Friends of the Himalayas, and strong supporter of the Ute Indian Museum along with several conservation groups.

He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Siems, of Georgia, and his brother, David Quade of Massachusetts; nieces and nephews, Christine, Charles, Allison and Jonathan; four great nieces and five great nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 12th, at 11:00 am, at the following address: 648 S. First Street, Montrose. (Event Center across from Methodist Church).