Herbert Richard Wade

1933 - 2017

Herbert Richard Wade Was born August 4, 1933, to the proud parents of William and Grace Wade in Texarkana, Texas. He was the younger of two sons. At an early age, he was baptized at Polly Chapel Baptist Church in Texarkana. In 1942, his family relocated to Marin City, California. He continued his education in Marin and attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley. While at Tam, he learned how to play the standing bass, he played music with different groups and played football. He graduated from Tam in 1951, and attended Marin Junior College, until he was drafted in the United States Army. Herb was stationed at Fort Ord in Monterey County, where he also played football. He eventually was transferred to Fort Mason in San Francisco where he continued to play football. His job was a chauffeur, he drove top military officials around the Presidio. After the Army, he attended a boatbuilding school in San Francisco where he learned to make fiberglass boats. Herbert met and married Georgia Mae Polk on Christmas Day in 1952. From this union, they were blessed with three children. He attended church at Village Baptist Church in Marin City, under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Banks, Jr. He was an entrepreneur, he owned a boat building shop in Sausalito. He also built speed boats and he built the first fiberglass gas tank that was installed in an Indianapolis race car that won the Indianapolis 500. The car was owned by Marv Webster, who invented the radar system for the Navy. Herbert grew concerned in the late 60s that students in Marin City had no other means to get to high school other than riding on public transportation. With the help of Barbara Boxer, she was then a Congressional Aide of John Burton then, she assisted him with applying for a federal grant. After the grant was awarded, he became the first black man in Marin to own a charter bus service. He named his business, "Marin Charter Service." Herbert contracted with Fairchild Industries, where he transported their employees to work from the East Bay to San Rafael each day. He also contracted with Tamalpais High School District and worked 35 years transporting students from: Marin City, Bolinas, Stinson & Muir Beaches to Tamalpais, Redwood, & Drake High Schools. The many years, he drove students around Mt. Tamalpais, regardless of the weather and road conditions, he never had an accident. Herb also chartered buses for social groups to 49er games, field trips to skating rings, etc. Herbert had a love for race horses, he owned two who won races at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows. He loved boating, listening to jazz music, and fishing when possible. He also loved hanging out at his favorite haunt, the 2 a.m. Club in Mill Valley, where he had quite a following of friends. He was very loving and supportive of his family. Herbert departed from life on October 19th, his parents, William & Grace Wade, brother, William N. Wade Jr, and his daughter, Darlene (Carlos) Williams preceded him in death). Herbert is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Georgia Polk Wade of Mill Valley, CA, one son, Herbert (Carla) Jr., of Marin City, CA; daughter, Kathleen Caston of Novato, CA; six grandchildren; Rollebert, Davonna, Joubert, Herbert III, Tyrisha & Vanessa; one great granddaughter, Briana; a brother in-law, Jesse Polk of Marin City, CA; two sister in-laws, Mary Wade of El Cerrito, CA & Alma Polk of New Iberia, LA; and a host of nephews, nieces, and friends. Assisted by Monte's Chapel of the Hills, San Anselmo.