Dr. Wade K. Baird

Conway…. Dr. Wade K. Baird died on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Dr. Baird was born on December 1, 1941, to Jean Kenny Baird and Wade John Baird (both predeceased) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Baird was educated in the public schools in Pittsburgh, and graduated from Homestead High School in 1959. Dr. Baird earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Thiel College (1963), and was a letter earner in football and basketball. He was captain of the basketball team during his senior year. He earned two Master's degrees (1965 and 1966) and a Ph.D (1971) from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Baird held a faculty position at the University of Pittsburgh for several years before joining the faculty at Boston University (1974). At Boston University he taught in the Overseas graduate Program offering graduate courses to military personnel in Europe (Germany and Italy). He was also a consultant with military agencies of the Department of Defense. Dr. Baird joined the faculty of Coastal Carolina University as an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Counseling Center (1976). During his career at Coastal Carolina University, he held numerous administrative positions: Interim Dean of Student Affairs, Director of USC-Graduate Regional Studies, Director of Coastal Carolina's first Self-Study for Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1979-1981), and Chairperson of the psychology Department (1981-1987). Dr. Baird was a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. He was a certified family mediator in South Carolina. His varied clinical practice has included court-ordered divorce mediations and family counseling. He was a certified counseling supervisor and has supervised several family therapists who now practice in our community. He held professional membership in the American Psychological Association and the South Carolina Psychological Association. While a faculty member at Coastal Carolina University, Dr. Baird delivered numerous presentations at professional meetings and conferences in the United States and Europe. During his teaching career, Dr. Baird was honored with a number of awards. Most recently, Dr. Baird was selected by the Student-Athlete Association at Coastal Carolina University as their first Professor of the Year for 2025. Dr. Baird retired from Coastal Carolina University in 2006, after thirty years of service, as Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Psychology. In 2015, Dr. Baird was awarded the University Medallion by Coastal Carolina University, the highest honor of the University. Dr. Baird was a tennis player and a past board member of the Grand Strand Tennis Association. He held membership at the Grande Dunes Tennis Club in Myrtle and the Riverfront Tennis center in Conway. After his retirement he played golf and was a member of the Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University. Dr. Baird is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Allison (Baird) Levison and Timothy Levison of Pittsburgh, and a son, Timothy W. Baird of Charleston. A memorial service is being arranged by the Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway, South Carolina. The service is planned for Saturday, August 8, 2026 during the hours of 2 and 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania, or the American Cancer Society in Dr. Baird's memory. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, August 8, 2026 during the hours of 2 and 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania, or the American Cancer Society in Dr. Baird's memory. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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Dr. Wade K. Baird

December 1, 1941 - August 1, 2026