Adam Alexander Olalde

Adam Alexander Olalde, age 26, passed away on November 28, 2019 in Manhattan, NY, due to unexpected health complications. He was born on September 18, 1993, in Riverside, CA to Holly MacArthur and the late Ricardo Olalde.

Adam grew up in Mead Valley, CA with his parents and older siblings; Paul Olalde and Courtney MacArthur. His older brother Christopher Fedorski lived in Schaumburg, IL, but was never far from Adam’s heart. Even as an infant, Adam’s massive grin lit up a room. His enthusiasm for life and thirst for knowledge was apparent from an early age. He skipped 1st grade and flew through the rest of elementary school, launching himself into adolescence with a developing passion for music fostered by his participation in marching band and drumline. His childhood was filled with trips to the beach, museums and cultural landmarks, attending church at Temple Baptist Church, and playing with his siblings and the family dogs (Nugget, Barney and Spike). On warm Southern California nights, he would often lay with his family in the grassy backyard of their home, stargazing. This is where Adam learned to dream, to imagine what might be out there, and to fantasize about the adventures that awaited him, somewhere...until they would all fall peacefully to sleep.

Adam attended Rancho Verde High School before transferring to Heritage High School where he graduated in 2010. He then attended California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), graduating in 2015 cum laude with a BS in Biochemistry. Upon beginning his undergraduate years, he formed friendships with others living for the first time in student housing; friendships that lasted a lifetime. He also joined and served as President of the CSUSM chapter of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity where his brothers fondly remember him as “El Presidente.” Adam received educational honors throughout this time, and joined professional organizations including the American Cancer Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Golden Key International Honour Society. One summer he and a small group of friends volunteered their time and energy with the Phoenix of New Orleans organization, physically rebuilding homes and buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

It was also in these undergraduate years that his true passion for the pharmaceutical sciences was born. His eyes were opened when he received an internship with the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) and he never looked away. While there, he advanced from a lab worker performing the simple task of cleaning utensils, to an innovative young researcher. In his time at SBP, he contributed to the successful identification of the molecular mechanism of a cancer fighting compound. His goal was to one day, be the Director of his very own laboratory.

Adam had his eye on graduate school when his father Ricardo passed away in December 2015. This required a slight shift in his graduate school timeline, but inspired him to start on his “bucket list” in 2016. This included skydiving multiple times, visiting Washington D.C for the 4th of July, backpacking through Europe, and visiting the land of his surname’s origin in Spanish Basque Country, with his brother Paul. This was a trip the brothers had originally planned to take with their father. Despite all this excitement, Adam never lost touch with his friends and never lost sight of his goal of pursuing graduate education; it was his dream and it was within reach.

Adam applied and was invited to interview at numerous distinguished graduate schools with his sights set on a PhD in Pharmacology. In 2017, Adam excitedly purchased his first winter coat to visit New York and interviewed with the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, where he found his match. Cornell challenged him and he rose to the occasion. He quickly earned the respect, admiration, and friendship of his peers and professors alike. His smile, good humor, and professional poise brought positivity and the feeling of natural collaboration to work sessions. His determination and work ethic inspired his peers, and he proved himself valuable not only as a scientist but also as a technical expert in his knowledge of laboratory equipment. It has been noted many times that Adam was “not afraid to roll up his sleeves,” although he did like to make sure it was absolutely necessary before doing so.

As with the rest of his life, Adam made sure to always spend quality time connecting with everyone he met at Cornell. Before his passing, Adam was nominated by Weill Cornell Medicine for a prestigious fellowship with Howard Hughes Medical Institute. His thesis project was focused on pancreatic cancer, which he believed wholeheartedly he would help to cure. His absence leaves an incomprehensible void, but his passion and legacy will be carried on by those that know and love him.

Adam is survived by his mother, Holly MacArthur; his siblings, Paul Olalde (28), Christopher Fedorski (34), and Courtney MacArthur (36); his nieces, Leah Fedorski (9), and Mackenzie Hemminger (13); his nephew, Ryan Fedorski (7); his maternal grandparents, Sam and Richard Matsunaga; his paternal grandmother, Juanita Olalde; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Adam is preceded in death by his brother, Patrick Olalde, and his father, Ricardo Olalde.

A service for Adam Olalde will take place Sunday, December 15th at 1 pm at El Camino Memorial Sorrento Valley, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, Ca 92121, officiated by Mr. Kenneth Merced. Reception to follow at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, Ca 92029.

We love you Adam. Rest easy, we hear it’s beautiful up there.