Wayne Nash 87

Wayne W. Nash, a longtime pharmaceutical executive and devoted family man who lived to laugh and play, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 11:01 p.m. He was 87.

Born on Dec. 28, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Earl and Elizabeth Nash, Wayne was the older brother of Gary Nash, who also passed away earlier this year. When his family made the bold cross-country move to Sacramento in 1952, Wayne was only beginning what would become a lifelong love of exploration and new experiences. He attended El Camino High School in Sacramento and went on to American River College and Sacramento State University, where he graduated with a degree in Economics.

During the Vietnam War era, Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserve, serving in an aeromedical evacuation unit for approximately seven years. Following his service, he built an impressive career in the pharmaceutical industry, with his first job as a teen at Rexall drugstore in Sacramento and advancing to Director of National and Global Sales at Upjohn/Pfizer before his retirement in 2001. Over his tenure, Wayne was a multiple recipient of the prestigious W.E. Upjohn Award, given annually to the year's top employees in administrative and sales departments from across the company's global operations.

In retirement, Wayne and his wife, Nancy, indulged his passion for globetrotting, always ready to explore new destinations and cultures. A refined foodie with a particular talent for perfecting his own hollandaise sauce, Wayne appreciated the finer things in life, yet was equally at home at a car show as he was at the opera or on the golf course. Active and engaged, he became a fixture at both Pasatiempo Golf Club in California and Hayden Lake Golf Club in Idaho, where he was known for his warmth, curiosity and fellowship.

Wayne was the husband of Nancy; the father of Bryan Nash, Stacey Caen and Paige Chastain; and the stepfather of Shelley Kluge, Sunny Morrill and Michael Riese. He is survived by Nancy and his children and 12 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church or the Idaho Youth Ranch.

Please visit Wayne’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.