Wayne Maurice Alves

Wayne Maurice Alves was a man who loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He delighted in silly voices, perfectly timed jokes, playful teasing, and the art of gentle embarrassment, particularly when an audience included his children. He believed humor was a form of connection, and he used it generously. His children knew him as a master storyteller, a willing conspirator in mischief, and a man who never outgrew making pig noises or pretending to be Jaws in a swimming pool or Jack Nicholson bursting through a door with "Here's Johnny!"

Wayne appreciated his family and took great pride in each of his five children and four grandchildren. He treasured phone calls, visits, shared meals, and conversations—often punctuated by repeat dad jokes and laughter. Being a father and grandfather was not something he merely valued; it was something he actively enjoyed.

Born on November 26, 1948, in Berkeley, California, Wayne was raised in Oakland by his loving mother, Marian. When Wayne was 11, his brother Joe was born, beginning a lifelong bond marked by closeness, loyalty, and shared history. Wayne held deep affection for his extended family—especially his aunts, uncles, and cousins in Kauai and Oakland. In 2018, Wayne and Joe were able to return to Kauai with their families, visiting Makaweli and reconnecting with places where they spent time as children.

Wayne attended Catholic school before graduating from Oakland High School in 1966, where his interests revolved around football, electronics shop, and friends. He had wonderful memories of those days, getting into crazy, harmless mischief and being reprimanded by the local police. He was a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan and held particular nostalgia for the 29-cent hamburger stand and Casper's hot dogs, and what he proudly claimed was the best job he ever had: selling beer to the press at Raiders games and watching the final quarter from the press box. Other early jobs included working at Tony's Liquor Store near his home and driving newspaper delivery trucks in the early morning hours.

Ambition and intellectual curiosity soon took hold. Wayne attended Merritt College and later Cal State University, East Bay, earning both a BA and MA in sociology and criminology. His academic journey continued across the country, including a University Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and doctoral studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he earned his PhD in Sociology. He went on to teach and conduct research at UCLA and the University of Virginia, where his work increasingly intersected with neuroscience and brain injury research. During these years in academia, his children Marianne, Amy, and Tim were born.

A pivotal moment in Wayne's career came when he was asked to provide statistical analysis for football concussion studies at UVA's Department of Neurosurgery. This work led him into leadership roles in brain injury research, including positions at the University of Pennsylvania, where he held numerous senior research and administrative roles spanning neurosurgery, PET imaging, stroke research, and biostatistics.

Wayne later returned to Charlottesville to help build what would become INC Research, an organization that reflected both his scientific rigor and his ability to see the bigger picture. During this chapter of his life, Wayne found a partner in Ruth. Their children, Jesse and Shannon, joined the family.

In 2000, Wayne and Ruth moved to North Carolina, where he worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, before relocating to San Diego in 2004. Over the next two decades, Wayne held senior operational roles in drug development at several small pharmaceutical companies. When asked whether he had a favorite job, Wayne simply said he enjoyed "all of it." He retired at age 70.

Outside of work, Wayne's interests were wide-ranging and enthusiastically pursued, if sometimes briefly. His hobbies included drawing and painting, learning about cigars and fine whiskey, stamp collecting, and cooking. Each was approached with meticulous care, especially when explaining the details to anyone willing to listen. He loved movies (The Godfather and Jurassic Park among his favorites), Picasso, gorillas, hippos, comedy, boxing, and the blues. He took great pleasure in sharing family stories. Wayne loved good food and often shared memories of traditional Portuguese meals.

After a brief hospital stay, Wayne made the decision to spend his final days at home. Surrounded by his wife and children, he was immersed in love, music, meaningful conversations, and laughter. Wayne passed away peacefully on the morning of November 9, 2024.

Wayne is remembered by his wife, Ruth; his children Marianne (Jon) Alves Brogdale, Amy Alves (Chris Holden), Timothy (Gina) Alves, Jesse Alves, and Shannon Alves; his beloved grandchildren Reina Brogdale, Wade Brogdale, Poppy Alves, and Oliver Alves; his brother Joe (Susan) Rodrigues; his nephew Jackson Rodrigues; his niece Samantha Rodrigues; and many extended family members and friends.

He is missed every day—and often laughed about, exactly as he would have wanted.