J. Robert Cade, 80; Gatorade Inventor

After the invention of Gatorade, Dr. Cade arranged with Stokely-Van Camp food company to market the drink, then had a long legal battle with the University of Florida over ownership of the patent. The dispute was resolved by allowing the four original inventors and the university to share the royalties.

The University of Florida has garnered more than $150 million from Gatorade, and Dr. Cade used his earnings to fund scholarships and an endowed chair at the medical school.

He continued his work as a research physician until this year and was credited with inventing a milk protein drink called Go!, a cholesterol-reducing beverage, a fruit-flavored beer and a football helmet with hydraulic padding.

He also did significant work on the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and, in recent years, had found links between certain foods and autism, Down syndrome and schizophrenia.

Known for a colorful personality and wide-ranging interests, Dr. Cade played the violin, quoted poetry at length, restored Studebaker cars and was a student of Christopher Columbus's voyages. He rescued dogs used in research projects, and he received the highest lay honor of the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Mary S. Cade of Gainesville; six children, Stephen Cade and Martha Cade, both of Gainesville, Emily Morrison of Boston, Phoebe Miles of Washington, Michael Cade of Balmorhea, Tex., and Celia Cade Johnson of Yachats, Ore.; 20 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

When Dr. Cade was testing Gatorade, one burly football player complained that it tasted like urine. Ever the scientist, Dr. Cade conducted a comparative experiment.

"You know what?" he said. "There's a significant difference in flavor."