Obituary of Wade Logan Nittler

On June 15th Santa Cruz lost "One of the Great Ones" when Wade Logan Nittler, devoted husband and loving father, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 89. From body surfing the Main Beach as a boy, working the fountain at Creamery Service in his teens, tending bar near the beach after The War and choosing Santa Cruz to raise his family, Wade confirmed his love for the community of Santa Cruz. A true man of his word, his character strong and unwavering, he was someone you could depend on during both smooth and difficult times. Born December 24th, 1924 in Alameda California and raised in Santa Cruz, Wade was the only child of Josephus and Ruth (Logan) Nittler. Wade attended Branciforte Elementary and Mission Hill Junior High, where he was a proud member of Deloss Wilder's Boy Scout Troop 66. Following graduation from Santa Cruz High School in 1943, Wade enlisted in the US Navy and during WWII served in the submarine fleet in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Wade attended UC Berkeley, pledged Sigma Chi and graduated class of '50 with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Wade began his career with the Occidental Life Company and during a posting in Sacramento met his future bride Adriana "Cherry" Maybeck . The blind date, arranged by a friend, turned into true love and they married in 1954 and had 60 wonderful years together. Wade and Cherry returned to Santa Cruz in 1956 to join Wade's father in starting the real estate services firm of Nittler & Nittler Realtors where he worked for 40 years and from which he retired as President in 1996. Wade made a lasting impact on the town where he grew up. He was a leader within his profession and the community. Professionally he served on the Santa Cruz Board of Realtors including two terms as president in 1961 and 1977 and was recognized as Realtor of the Year in 1976. He was also active at the state and national level as Committee Chair, Director and Regional Vice President, of the California Association of Realtors and as a delegate to the National Association of Realtors. Additionally he served as president of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers in 1971 -72, past president of the Insurance Agents Association of Santa Cruz and was the Founding Chairman and 14 year member of Santa Cruz County Assessment Appeals board. In the community he described as his favorite place on earth he was an active participant in The Jaycees, Toastmasters, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Elks Club, The Monterey Bay Area Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, The United Fund, The Pasatiempo Board of Trustees, Dominican Hospital Foundation Committee, Community Hospital Board of Directors, The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, Seniors in Retirement (SIRS) and the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce where he served as President in 1984. Wade was also a strong supporter of education serving on University of California Alumni Association board; the Santa Cruz County Cal Alumni Scholarship Committee, The UCSC Affiliates, Cabrillo College Advisory Committee, The Santa Cruz County Schools long range facilities planning and as an instructor in Real Estate and Appraisal for both Cabrillo College and UC Berkeley Extension. But as active as he was, Wade's first passion was his family. He is survived by the loving and admiring family that brought him a lifetime of joy and pride including wife Cherry and their three children, their spouses and grandchildren; Mark, Katie (Taylor), Scott, Peter and Elizabeth Nittler of Alamo; Scott, Sue (Crane), Stephen, Bryan and Adam Nittler of Orinda and Sheila (Nittler) Ray, Breanna and Allison Connelly of Santa Cruz. It was his wish that there be no public services, but feel free to have a martini (two olives) in his memory - he would have liked that. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to one of Wade's favorite involvements - The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Foundation, PO Box 497, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.