Robin Adair Wade Jr.

Robin Adair Wade, Jr. passed away on December 14, 2020. A Birmingham native, Robin attended the University of Alabama where he met the love of his life, his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Sandlin Wade. He will be remembered for his engaging personality, his business acumen, and his passion for the experiences and education that resulted from his many travels across the world. Robin's father started quarrying dolomite and lime rock as a contract miner for Republic Steel in 1932, the year of Robin's birth. After joining his father's business at age 21, Robin's legacy lives on as Wade Sand and Gravel Company continues to serve the general aggregate market in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area, 88 years later. Over time, Robin steered the company's acquisition of the Republic Steel property, not only for future generations of the family business, but also as a means of supporting his wife Carolyn's passion for contemporary art. Robin combined their support of the arts with an appreciation of the historical industrial nature of the Republic Steel campus to provide opportunities for visiting artists to experience their creativity with an industrial backdrop. The studio spaces not only provided the artists space to be creative, it also allowed the artists space to create sculptures large and small. His love of art and historical industrial artifacts yielded many special lamps and furnishings; even his office desk is sourced by one of the resident artists and is comprised of art and industrial components. Robin and Carolyn made numerous trips internationally with friends from Young President's Organization, Chief Executives Organization, the Guggenheim Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of Art. Family trips included three generations expanding their horizons to view diverse cultures and areas of the world. Evidence of his travels can be found throughout his home and office. But the real treasures were the stories infectiously told by Robin of his experiences in faraway cultures and the knowledge he shared with others from these travels. An avid hunter, Robin went on several safari tours where the results adorn his trophy room today. He also made many journeys by boat with close friends, traveling domestic and international waters. Robin long had a connection to Orange Beach, Alabama with the family home on Cotton Bayou. Robin enjoyed exploring many of the waterways from Mobile Bay to Pensacola Bay, many times in his small Alumacraft boat with a small outboard enabling him to reach tributaries far out of reach of most boats. He also utilized his unique and colorful boat "Pedro" for these excursions, a purchase from one of his travels to Mexico. In the 1990's, Robin had the vision to turn the family beach home into a first class marina, restaurant and shopping complex, Sanroc Cay Marina. Robin also owned Bear Point Marina, located on Arnica Bay. As a testament to his leadership, a plaque was placed at Sanroc Cay by the new owner in tribute to Robin's vision in creating Sanroc Cay Marina. The plaque quotes Robin, "Today is another fine day in which to excel." This was not just a motto spoken by Robin, it was one that he lived by as well. In addition to Robin's work at the Birmingham stone quarry, over the years he also operated several sand and gravel mines in different locations around central Alabama. Robin enjoyed the admiration, love and respect from his employees, no matter which of Robin's companies they worked for. Because of his strong work ethic, Robin set an example for all his employees. Robin is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Adair Wade, Sr., his beloved wife Carolyn Sandlin Wade and his son Walter Bellingrath Sandlin Wade, all from Birmingham, Alabama. Robin is survived by his two sons, William Watson Wade (Katherine) of New Orleans, Louisiana, Robin Adair Wade III (Jeanette) of Birmingham, Alabama, and daughter in law Vanderbilt Hare Wade of Birmingham. Robin's four grandchildren: Caroline Wade Koeller (Robert) of Berlin, Germany, Margaret Wade Cooney (Patrick) of Birmingham, Elizabeth Wade McNulty (William) of Mobile, Alabama and Robin Adair Wade IV, and he is survived by four great grandchildren: Wade, Watson and Evelyn Cooney, and Charlotte Koeller. His grandchildren and great grandchildren will always remember Robin for his stories about his travels and his and Carolyn's unique home where art installations and hunting trophies were prominent throughout the home. The family wish to gratefully acknowledge and thank Dr. Jay Whatley, Annie Kelly and Verna Kelly for their unflagging dedication, love and care for many years and particularly during the last several months. There will be a private family burial, and due to COVID, plans for a celebration of Robin's life are indefinite at this time. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama, Sloss Furnaces, or charity of your choice.