Veteran NPR journalist Wade Goodwyn leaves an incredible legacy
I only met Wade Goodwyn once in person. But that delightful meeting on a perfect fall evening in his beloved Dallas, Texas last year was all I needed for him to leave a lasting, positive impact on me.
Sure, as a longtime NPR listener, I knew of Wade, his big voice and incredible storytelling before I joined the organization.
Once I got to NPR, I interacted with him sporadically (and virtually) in my role as lead weekend editor. Those interactions became more regular when I joined the National Desk. Not only have I had the honor in this capacity to edit Wade’s work for digital but I’ve also had the pleasure of editing his wonderful wife, Sharon, when she wrote a personal essay for NPR.
Although I’d worked with Wade on stories, I didn’t quite know him, but had heard many glowing remarks about him. So when I knew I was headed to the Texas State Fair, I wrote him to say I’d be in town and asked if we could meet. His response was an immediate yes. He said to get in touch once I landed in Dallas.
Once in Dallas, I reached out to Wade.
“Do you like Mexican food?” he asked.
“Of course,” I responded.
“Good,” he said, recommending we meet at a favorite restaurant of his that served some of the “best Mexican food in Dallas.”
I told him I’ll book a Lyft to pick me up after I logged off work. He dismissed the idea and said he’ll come get me from my hotel. Later that evening I came down to the lobby early so I won’t keep Wade waiting. He was already there.
Like his voice, Wade’s personality was big and magnetic. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny, warm, easygoing and liberal he was on various issues. That didn’t get past him, he jokingly said, “Most people don’t expect this from a big white man from Texas.”
For almost three hours we chatted about his 30-year tenure at NPR; how he got there after working as an advocate and the early influences of his dad, a former professor at Duke University, to stoke his interest in civil rights.
We traded newsroom stories and realized we were fond of many of the same people and also had in common some whose company we were content to limit. We talked about our respective pasts as athletes and then the inevitable, death. Yes, Wade shared that he’d long been battling cancer and at the time we met, he was doing fine after an incredibly challenging year. He gave credit to his wife Sharon’s phenomenal care in helping to sustain him.
After Dallas, I stayed in touch with Wade. We messaged back and forth for a while and at times he even commented on my Facebook posts. Unknown to me, during that time, his cancer had viciously “returned.” My last communication with Wade was via his wife, Sharon.
She kept me updated and shared that many of the messages he received from colleagues across the newsroom/NPR brought him immense joy in his final days.
He died today at 63.
Wade Goodwyn, you were one of a kind. I’m thankful and happy I got to meet you. I will miss you.
My condolences to Sharon and your daughters Hannah and Samantha.
Rest in peace, Wade, and rise in glory. 
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
Island Soul City Dreams 