The Richmond News, Jan. 3, 2025

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Wade Keith Schroeder on Dec. 20, 2024, at age 55 after a valiant, steadfast 22 months’ fight against pancreatic cancer. Until the end, he was surrounded by his family members, who continue to love him immensely.

Wade will always be remembered for his positive mindset, no matter the situation; unmistakable laughter; and his loving and fearless spirit.

The task of summarizing the life of a man who meant the world to us is difficult, but he was amazing. Our hearts are filled with Wade’s love of fun times and laughter. Whether we were camping, traveling, riding bikes or simply enjoying each other’s company, he lit up the space with his inviting laughter, filled with warmth.

Wade had a perfect playlist for every occasion, big or small: weekend coffee in the living room, sitting out on the patio, adventurous road trips, back-to-school days for teachers, woodworking in the garage and more.

His passion and talents earned him scholarships for both music and football at Central Methodist University in 1988. After a football injury, his focus shifted and he finished his education at Missouri State University with a degree in secondary education.

The first 10 years of his education career were spent teaching ninth-grade science; and coaching varsity football, basketball and track, first in Jasper, then in Joplin. After furthering his degree, in 2004, he accepted the Norborne High School principal position.

With a desire to have a greater impact on students and teachers, Wade continued his education and became the assistant superintendent in 2007 in Chillicothe. He further expanded his leadership role and continued cultivating positive academic environments for students and teachers as the superintendent of schools in Holden and then Braymer, where he retired in 2022.

Wade highly valued education. In or out of school, he considered it essential to learn new skills, whether that was how to properly sand with the woodgrain or to perfectly toast a marshmallow over an expertly built campfire.

He believed strongly in leaving things in a better state than how they were found. He believed that, when you do a job, you do it well and that you should put your all into something you care about, whether that be a hobby, a job or building a family.

He left this world making those he impacted better, instilling so many skills and so much knowledge in those he worked with and loved. We will miss him.

Wade was born March 1, 1969, in Edina, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Ellen Schroeder. There are so many of us that hold Wade close to our hearts and will continue to recount stories of the adventures we all shared. His surviving family: Candice, his wife of 31 years; their daughters, Katerina (Chet) Schroeder-Ridgway and Annaliese Schroeder; sisters, Jill (Alan) Weber and Amy Schroeder; parentsin- law, John (Janet) Rhea; brothers-in-law, Matt Rhea and Nick (Angel) Rhea; nieces and nephews, Danielle (Mikel) Morrison, Ryan (Kyndra) Weber, Apollo and Orlando Rhea; and great-nieces and nephews, Jaden, Jordyn and Jaxon Morrison, and Tenley, Emmett and Isaiah Weber.

A service to celebrate Wade’s beautiful life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to pancan.org or a charity of your choice in Wade’s memory. His family utilized the PanCAN organization for support and resources during his fight against pancreatic cancer.