Wade Edward Radford, 89, of Columbia, MD

Wade Edward Radford, 89, of Columbia, MD, passed away January 7, 2025.

Wade was born July 17, 1935, to Wade Evans Radford and Mary Kate Burgess Radford in Spindale, NC. After graduating high school, he attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He joined the Army in 1954 as a member of the Signal Corps, and his service included one year in West Germany. He completed his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at NC State in 1961. After graduating with honors, Wade went to work at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in Laurel, MD, beginning a 45-year career whose efforts spanned a wide range of areas including space exploration and biomedical innovation. Noteworthy achievements include contributions to the development of the implantable heart pacemaker, implantable insulin pump, and New Horizons mission to Pluto.

Wade married Frances Elizabeth Poole in 1965. They had one son, Richard, in 1968.

In 2007, Wade retired from APL and spent his time supporting his family, his church as an elder and Sunday School teacher, and his community as a board member of the Laurel Pregnancy Center and Bible study leader at Heartlands Senior Living Village.

Wade is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances, son Richard, daughter-in-law Janel, grandchildren Madison and Andrew, sister Elaine Hardin (Wayne), brother Stephen (Hattie), nephew Dale Hardin, niece Stephanie Edwards, and cousin Rodney Schwartz.

Services were held at Community Bible Church, MD on January 18.