Bob is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Jill Wise; children, Michael (Kristen) Wise, Matthew Wise, and Randi (Mitchell) Blackstad; five grandchildren, Hannah (Joe), Erin, Joey, Emerson, Cole; one great-grandchild, James; brother, Jeff (Geri) Wise; grand-dog, Leddy; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl & Audrey Wise; brother, Steven Wise; brother-in-law, Joey Wylie; and cousin, Mike Gliniany.

Robert John Wise was born March 30, 1957 to Earl and Audrey (Olson) Wise in Gaylord, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon, MN. While attending school, he met his future girlfriend, Jill Wylie, in the 8th grade. Bob graduated from Gibbon High School in 1975. He then attended the U of M in Morris for a year and began his banking career in 1976 at Citizen’s Bank of Lafayette, as a teller.

He continued his career there, learning lending and insurance sales from his father, who was his mentor. On August 27, 1977, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Jill Wylie, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon. The couple moved to the Wise family farm for a few years, and then relocated to a farm place east of Lafayette where they started a family. In 1990, they moved to Lafayette.

Bob returned to college to earn a banking degree from U.W. Madison. After the Lafayette and New Ulm banks merged, he served many years as a V.P. and Branch Manager before retiring in 2021 – completing a 45 year long career. Bob always strived to help people achieve their dreams, and that was what was most important to him.

Outside of work, Bob was deeply involved in his children’s lives and the community. Baseball, his favorite sport as an athlete, was a big part of that. He enjoyed coaching for the Peanuts team in Lafayette and the Legion team in Gibbon, where he not only taught the game, but built lasting relationships and memories with the players and families.

Bob loved fishing, especially time spent in the boat with his best friend and brother-in-law, Jeff Wylie. He treasured annual ice fishing trips to Lake of the Woods with family and friends. This was a hobby he proudly passed down to all three of his kids.

He also spent many hours on the golf course. He appreciated that it was a game no one ever truly masters, and found joy in the steady pursuit of improvement, even if it meant shaving just a couple strokes off his scorecard. He participated in Tuesday Night League in New Ulm with Randi and Men’s League at Winthrop Golf Club with Tom Brethorst, and was especially proud of winning the Winthrop Club Championship.

Bob was a member of the Lafayette Lions Club, Winthrop Golf Course, First Lutheran Church in Lafayette, and Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm. He also served as a board member for the New Ulm Area Foundation, Oak Hills, the New Ulm Basketball Association, and the Grand Arts Center in New Ulm, and was a founding member of the New Ulm Diabetes Walk.

He enjoyed reading, all kinds of music, playing Scrabble and cards, completing crossword puzzles, and trivia.

Above all, Bob had a strong and steady faith in God. That faith guided him, grounded him, and gave him a sense of peace and purpose that carried through everything he did. He lived with integrity, kindness, and humility – never just speaking about what was right, but living in a way that inspired everyone around him.

In 2020, Bob was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He battled this commendably through his strong faith. Bob treasured the remaining years he was able to get with his family and friends, even getting to meet his first great-grandchild. Watching his grandchildren grow and participate in the sports they loved, brought him so much joy. Bob leaves behind over 69 wonderful years of memories that will be treasured by all who knew him. Blessed be his memory

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