Dr. Wade Melvin Kornegay was born January 9, 1934, to the late Gilbert and late Estelle Kornegay. Wade grew up in his birth town of Mount Olive, North Carolina. He lost both his father and mother by the time he was a six-year-old. Along with his five older siblings, Wade and his three younger brothers and sisters went to live with their grandmother. Dr. Kornegay, the President of his senior class, graduated from Carver High School in 1952. He was the first of his siblings to go to college, graduating from North Carolina Central College (now North Carolina Central University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1956. While there, he won a Fulbright Fellowship and spent a year at Bonn University in 1957. Upon return, he started his PhD program at the University of California at Berkley and was awarded his PhD in chemical physics in 1961. During the summer of 1960, Dr. Kornegay returned home to marry Bettie Joyce Hunter on September 9, 1960. He remained at UC Berkley for an additional year completing research with the help of the Danforth Graduate Fellowship and then began his 37-year career at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lincoln Laboratory.
Dr. Kornegay’s work involved the use of radar technology to detect ballistic missiles while in flight and was an important part of the defense of our country. As technologies advanced, Dr. Kornegay and his team also developed a method to distinguish between real and fake missiles on radar. He became the Head of Radar Measurement at the Lincoln Laboratories in 1986. Over his career, he was recognized for his many contributions in science, most notably the Outstanding Civilian Science Medal for over thirty years of service to the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the MIT Achievement Award for Distinguished Service to Education. He was also named Scientist of the Year by the National Society of Black Engineers in 1990.
Wade was very active in his community as a Member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; he received recognition for his 70+ years of service in the fraternity. He was active in Memorial Congregational Church when the family lived in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He also served on several committees and boards at Pilgrim Church when he relocated to Burtonsville, Maryland. Wade always loved giving back and continued to give back in Mount Olive, North Carolina through the Carver Alumni and Friends Association. Wade also loved spending time with Bettie and upon his retirement, they traveled the world and visited many countries. He loved his children and grandchildren, and his favorite trips included visiting and spending time with them.
Wade leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Bettie; their children Melvin (Aimee), Cynthia, and Laura, previously married to Lennard Gilham. He also leaves behind two amazing grandchildren, Berklie Kornegay and Wade Gilham. Wade is survived by one sister Mamie Moody, and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends. Wade will be remembered for his commitment to his family, his fraternity, his community and his love of grocery stores!
A Memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.