Obituary
Robert F. Wise

LCDR Robert (“Bob”) F. Wise USN passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025 in Cary, NC. He was 64 years old. Robert was born in Annapolis, MD and was the oldest son of Frederick and Constance Wise. He was salutatorian at Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsport, PA. He was in the 14th Company at the US Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1983 with a BS in Political Science. He joined the nuclear submarine force on the USS Plunger, an attack submarine based in San Diego, CA. While serving there, he met his wife, Rebecca Walker, and they were married in 1987. He served on the Plunger and then at FITCPAC as an anti-submarine warfare intelligence officer. After nine years of honorable service, he attended Kellogg Business School (Northwestern University) in Evanston, IL, where he graduated with a Masters in Manufacturing Management degree in 1992. Bob served in the Naval Reserves at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL for two years and remained in the reserves until 1999. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars and a Navy Achievement Medal, among others. Starting in 1992, Bob worked as a Process Engineer for Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals in Wilson, NC, where he lived with Rebecca and son, Matthew. In 2021 he and Rebecca moved to Cary, NC. He believed in a life of service and volunteered four summers at the Christian Appalachian Project during his USNA years and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Matthew’s Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts troops.

Bob is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and son, Matthew (Pamela); brothers Steve and David; sisters Beth and Christi; and step-mother Sharon. He was predeceased by his mother and father. Bob was known for his positive energy, love of adventure, and laid-back personality. He loved to travel and had intense pride for his time in the Navy. At the Naval Academy, Bob’s company mates appreciated his help in academics and his fun-loving attitude. On his submarine he was nicknamed “Rocket Bob” for his quick thinking and decisiveness. He never met a stranger he didn’t like and was kind and generous to all he met. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

If you would like to honor Bob’s commitment to service, please donate in his name to the Christian Appalachian Project at https://www.christianapp.org/ or the Boy Scouts Eastern Carolina Council at https://scoutingecc.org/.