To ensure that the captive-born birds were able to adapt to conditions in the wild, they used soft releases: the young falcons would be placed in artificial nests in the wild and fed by humans until they were able to hunt successfully. In 1980, captive-born birds successfully reproduced in the wild for the first time. The species's North American population steadily increased at 5–10% annually, allowing for population recovery. The peregrine falcon was removed from the US Endangered Species List in August 1999, and Cade was recognized as a "savior" of the species. He later worked at Boise State University, from which he retired in 1993. In 1952, Cade married Renetta Mae Bennewater. Together, they had five children. Cade died on February 6, 2019 at the age of 91 in Boise, Idaho. In 1998, "Audubon" magazine included Cade in their list of 100 "Champions of Conservation". After Cade's death, the Idaho House of Representatives introduced a resolution to honor him, calling him "one of the world's most visionary conservationists and widely respected scientists".