Wade H. McCree Jr., J.D. ’71 hon, professor of 
law at The University of Michigan and former
 solicitor general of the United States, died in 
Detroit in August at the age of 67.


"Wade McCree was one of the great figures
 of his time in public life and law, a man of 
preeminent professional stature, and an exceptional role model for his fellow attorneys 
and all Black Americans," said Lee C. Boll
inger, dean of the Law School. "He was one
 of the first Blacks to be appointed a federal
 district judge, the first Black appointed to the 
Sixth Circuit Court, the second Black solicitor 
general of the United States, and a treasured
 member of this faculty.

"
Prior to joining the U-M Law School faculty 
in 1981, McCree had served as judge for the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as
 a U.S. district court judge, and as circuit 
judge of Wayne County, Michigan. More 
recently, McCree served as special master in 
three U.S. Supreme Court cases, including the
 1982 Howard Hughes estate lawsuit. As 
special master, McCree acted as hearing of
ficer and pro tem member of the Supreme 
Court with primary responsibility for conduc
ting the cases.


McCree also held many professionally 
related positions, including the American Bar 
Foundation, the National Judicial College, the
 American Judicature Society, and the Federal
 Judicial Center. He also worked with several
 universities and religious organizations.