Dan Wade Wikipedia: Age, Wife Sam Wade, Son, Family & BIO of Wooden Robot Founder
Dan Wade, the co-founder of Wooden Robot Brewery, passed away on February 20, 2024, after falling from a balcony at the South End taproom. He was 36 years old and a new father to a baby boy.
His death shocked and saddened the Charlotte community, especially the craft beer scene, where he was widely respected and admired for his passion, innovation, and generosity.
Early Life & Education
Dan Wade was born and raised in Florida, where he attended the University of Florida and earned a degree in chemical engineering.
He met his friend and future business partner, Josh Patton, at the university and they bonded over their love of craft beer. They decided to pursue their dream of opening their brewery and moved to Charlotte in 2012.
| Name | Dan Wade |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Florida, USA |
| Death date | February 20, 2024 |
| Death place | Charlotte, NC, USA |
| Cause of death | Fall from a balcony or roof |
| Occupation | Co-founder and director of operations of Wooden Robot Brewery |
| Education | University of Florida (B.S. in chemical engineering) |
| Spouse | Sam Wade |
| Children | Henry Wade |
| Siblings | Unknown |
| Net worth | $3-4 million (approx.) |
| woodenrobotbrewery | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Launching Wooden Robot Brewery
Dan and Josh launched Wooden Robot Brewery in 2015, with a vision of creating a farm-style brewery that combined traditional Belgian brewing techniques with American craft beer styles.
They named their brewery after their contrasting personalities: Dan was the wooden, analytical, and meticulous engineer, while Josh was the robot, creative, and adventurous marketer.
Wooden Robot quickly became one of the most popular and acclaimed breweries in Charlotte, winning several awards and recognition for their beers, such as the Good Morning Vietnam coffee blonde ale, the Thicket as Thieves blackberry sour ale, and the Overachiever pale ale. They opened a second taproom in NoDa in 2019, expanding their production and distribution.
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
Dan was not only a talented brewer, but also a kind and generous person, who cared deeply about his family, friends, employees, and customers. He was married to his wife, Sam, and they welcomed their son, Henry, in January 2024.
He was also an uncle to six nieces and nephews and a dedicated rescue dog dad. He loved traveling, hiking, camping, and exploring new places and cultures.
How did Dan Wade die?
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Dan Wade died on February 20, 2024, around 1:30 p.m., after falling from a balcony or roof at the Wooden Robot Brewery on South Tryon Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The police said there was no foul play suspected and the investigation was ongoing.
The North Carolina Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division also said they were notified of the accident and assigned a compliance officer to investigate the death. The inspection could take up to six months to complete.
The cause of the fall and the exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear and have not been officially confirmed. However, some sources have speculated that Dan Wade was working on a new project or equipment at the brewery when he fell.
How did the community react to Dan Wade’s death?
The news of Dan Wade’s death spread quickly and sparked an outpouring of grief, condolences, and tributes from the community. Many people expressed their shock and sadness on social media, sharing their memories and appreciation of Dan Wade and his brewery.
Wooden Robot Brewery announced the closure of both taprooms until further notice and posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, written by Josh Patton, who said: “It is with an extremely sad and heavy heart that we share this news. Dan was not only my business partner but more importantly, he was my best friend.
He was the most genuine, caring, and selfless person I have ever met. He touched so many lives with his kindness and generosity. He was a brilliant brewer, a loving husband, a proud father, and a loyal friend. He was my brother and I will miss him terribly.”
Other breweries, bars, restaurants, and businesses in Charlotte also showed their support and solidarity with Wooden Robot and Dan Wade’s family. Some of them donated a portion of their sales to a GoFundMe campaign that was set up to help Dan’s wife and son.
Others offered free meals, drinks, or services to Wooden Robot employees and customers. Some also organized fundraisers, events, or special releases to honor Dan Wade and his legacy.
The Charlotte craft beer community also rallied around Wooden Robot and praised Dan Wade for his contributions and influence on the local beer scene. Many brewers, owners, and enthusiasts credited Dan Wade for being a pioneer, a mentor, a collaborator, and a friend, who helped shape and grow the Charlotte brewery scene with his vision, creativity, and quality.
