Robert Campbell Wise, 99, a member of the Lycoming Law Association since 1949, and former president, died September 3, 2024. He was memorialized in a special session of court held on December 19, 2024.

Obituary:

Robert Campbell Wise, 99, a distinguished gentleman known for his service, intellect and generosity, passed on to eternal life peacefully surrounded by his family on September 3, 2024, at Celebration Villa of Loyalsock.

Born on May 21, 1925, in Williamsport, he was a son of the late Victor C. and Alice S. (Mahaffey) Wise. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Margaret L. (Browne) Wise, his brother, Victor E. Wise and his grandson, Nathanael W. Stoner.

Robert’s life was a testament to his unwavering dedication to his community, his country and his loved ones. After graduating from Williamsport High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Officer Training Program, University of Notre Dame. He was transferred to the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, and graduated with a meteorology degree. He was commissioned as an ensign and served as the weather officer on an arctic icebreaker. After release from active duty he graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA in 1948, and began to practice law.

Robert was recalled to active duty during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy at the Fleet Weather Central in Washington, DC. Upon return to civilian life, he served as assistant district attorney of Lycoming County from 1956 to 1960, and afterwards returned to private practice. His passion for justice and community welfare propelled him into politics, where he was elected in 1965, and served four more successive terms as a Democrat in the PA State House of Representatives, Harrisburg. His legislative talents were further recognized when he was elected by the General Assembly to serve as director of the PA State Legislative Reference Bureau from 1975 to 1976. He practiced law for more than 50 years in Lycoming County, including acting as solicitor for several local governmental bodies.

Beyond his formal roles, Robert was an active member of the American Legion for over 70 years, a member of the West Branch Boat Club, Ross Club, Williamsport Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and the Valley of Williamsport, PA Scottish Rite where he became a 33rd Degree Mason. He was not only a pillar in his professional life but also a cornerstone of his community. Robert was a faithful, active lifetime member of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Robert’s interests were as varied as they were passionate. He enjoyed reading, performing music, golfing, boating, skiing, playing chess and watching sports. His love for music was evident as he played in many bands throughout the Williamsport area, including the Repasz and New Horizons Band and other ensembles as recently as May, 2024. Always seeking ways to engage with the world around him, Robert kept busy and was highly service-oriented. He was known for his loving nature, kindness, generosity and devotion to family, which he demonstrated through his constant acts of giving, doing, and involvement with others.

He is survived by three children, David L. Wise, and his wife, Leslie of Erdenheim, Carol L. Kirol, and her husband, Thomas, of Williamsport, and Sandra W. Stoner, and her husband, Herbert, of Harrisburg; eight grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Joyce Henninger Wise, of Williamsport; and his niece and three nephews.

A memorial service to honor Robert’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service, Saturday, Sept. 21 at church.

Memorial donations in Robert’s name may be made to Oxford House Trinity Manor, c/o Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.

Arrangements entrusted to Sanders Mortuary. Online condolences may be made on Robert’s memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com.

House Resolution No. 558 of 2024: 

Remembering the Honorable Robert C. Wise, a five-term former member of the House of Representatives from the 83rd District, Lycoming County, who died September 3, 2024, at 99 years of age.

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives joins in honoring Robert C. Wise for his distinguished leadership and generous service to the residents of Lycoming County, central Pennsylvania and this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, As a legislator focusing on legislative ethics, higher education and conservation, including clean streams, Mr. Wise faithfully served consecutive terms in the House of Representatives from 1965 through 1974; and

WHEREAS, Active in legislative reform, Mr. Wise chaired the first House Ethics Committee in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wise served on the State Government Committee and the Game and Fisheries Committee in his first term and was appointed to the Education Committee in his second term; and

WHEREAS, An early supporter of a unified Statewide higher education system, Mr. Wise continued his service on the House Education Committee over multiple terms, chaired the Subcommittee on Higher Education and was a legislative delegate to the State Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wise later served as an appointed member of the State Board of Education; and

WHEREAS, Born May 21, 1925, in Williamsport, Mr. Wise enlisted in the United States Navy Officer Training Program at the University of Notre Dame after his 1943 graduation from Williamsport High School; and

WHEREAS, At the California Institute of Technology, where he transferred, Mr. Wise worked toward his meteorology degree and determined that he wanted to study law; and

WHEREAS, Commissioned as a Navy ensign, Mr. Wise was a weather officer on an arctic icebreaker; and

WHEREAS, Released from active duty, Mr. Wise began to practice law and entered public service after his 1948 graduation from Dickinson School of Law; and WHEREAS, Recalled to active duty from 1952 through 1954, with the rank of lieutenant, Mr. Wise completed his military service at a Fleet Weather Center; and

WHEREAS, As a respected attorney with more than five decades of service, Mr. Wise was a member, since 1949, and former president of the Lycoming Law Association and former Lycoming County assistant district attorney; and WHEREAS, Mr. Wise earned public recognition and public support through his work as assistant district attorney; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wise enjoyed door-to-door campaigning and advertising in his growing Lycoming County district, aided by family, friends and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Given his background in law and his legislative record, Mr. Wise was elected in joint session of the General Assembly as Director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau; and WHEREAS, From January 20, 1975, through January 3, 1977, Mr. Wise contributed to bureau policy and publications and advised members and staff from all caucuses; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wise's abilities as an effective listener, arbitrator and consensus builder were notable; and

WHEREAS, Through his involvement in Williamsport area bands and his dedication to nonprofit and charitable organizations, including the American Legion and the Scottish Rite, Mr. Wise further enriched his community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wise's three children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren and friends joined in honoring his life September 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Williamsport, where he was a lifetime member; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives remember the Honorable Robert C. Wise, a five-term former member of the House of Representatives from the 83rd District, Lycoming County, who died September 3, 2024, at 99 years of age.

Memorial Resolutions Presented to the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas:

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LYCOMING COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

In Re: LLA Bar History                                                :          

            MEMORIAL RESOLUTION                                   :           CV-24-0003

            ROBERT C. WISE                                                 :

 TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF SAID COURT:

   On the 16th day of October, 2024, the Honorable Nancy L. Butts, President Judge of the 29^th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, appointed the undersigned Committee to prepare a Report and Resolutions memorializing the life of Robert C. Wise for submission to the Court at a public ceremony on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 4:00pm.

   Accordingly, your Committee respectfully submits the following Report and Resolutions:

• Robert C. Wise, a member of this bar and court from 1949 to 2024, as well as a member of the Lycoming Law Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 3, 2024, at Celebration Villa of Loyalsock.
• Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport. The family received friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The church was very well attended by his many friends, colleagues and relatives including several Lycoming County Judges and numerous Lycoming County Bar members.
• Robert Campbell Wise was born on May 21, 1925, the son of the late Victor C. and Alice S. (Mahaffey) Wise, in Williamsport, where he lived, except during his schooling and military service, until his death.
• Bob married Margaret L. Browne (Peggy) on January 27, 1951, with whom he celebrated seventy years of marriage and who predeceased him on December 2, 2021.
• Bob and Peggy had three children, who, along with their spouses, survive: David L. Wise, and his wife, Leslie of Erdenheim, Carol L. Kirol, and her husband, Thomas, of Williamsport, and Sandra W. Stoner, and her husband, Herbert, of Harrisburg.  Bob is also survived by eight grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Joyce Henninger Wise, of Williamsport; and his niece and three nephews.
• In addition to his wife, Bob was predeceased by his brother Victor E. Wise and his grandson, Nathanael W. Stoner.
• Bob graduated from Williamsport High School in 1943, and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy Officer Training Program, University of Notre Dame. He later transferred to the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, where he graduated with a meteorology degree.
• Following graduation Bob was commissioned as an ensign and served as the weather officer on an arctic icebreaker.
• After discharge from active-duty Bob enrolled in the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA and graduated in 1948, and began to practice law.
• Bob was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County in 1949, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1950, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 1951 and the United States Supreme Court in 1954.
• Bob was recalled to active duty during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy at the Fleet Weather Central in Washington, DC and lived in Silver Spring, MD.
• Upon return to civilian life, he began again in private practice. He served as assistant district attorney of Lycoming County from 1956 to 1960, working under then District Attorney George Hess.   
• During his time in private practice Bob associated with, George Hess, Michael J. Casale, Sr., practicing as Hess, Casale and Wise and maintaining offices at 18 West Third Street in Williamsport. He later maintained offices with Nathan Stuart at 25 West Third Street, Williamsport until Nate’s death.
• In 1964 Bob was elected a Representative in the Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for the 83^rd Legislative District in Lycoming County as a Democrat, a position to which he was re-elected four more times before choosing not to run in 1974. After leaving the House of Representatives in 1975 his legislative talents were further recognized when he was elected by the General Assembly to serve as director of the PA State Legislative Reference Bureau from 1975 to 1976.    
• Bob’s work was concentrated in general practice and he was a municipal solicitor as well, including for South Williamsport Borough for many years and the South Williamsport School District January 11, 1984 through June 30, 2006. Bob served his clients well with his keen legal mind and professionalism.
• Bob was active in the Lycoming Law Association, having served as its President in 1969.
• Bob was a faithful, active lifetime member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he was baptized some 99 years before his September 21^st Memorial Service.
• Bob was active Mason, having received his Master Mason degree on June 20, 1963 as a member of Lodge Number 755 and then joined the Williamsport Scottish Rite as a 32^nd degree Mason on November 22, 1963. He was awarded the 33^rd in Scottish Rite Masonry on September 29, 1998, a degree only a select few are given.
• Bob was an active member of many other community organizations including the American Legion for over 70 years, the West Branch Boat Club, Ross Club, Williamsport Rotary Club, Williamsport Kiwanis Club.
• Bob had a wide variety of interests which included reading, performing music, golfing, boating, skiing, playing chess and watching sports. He particularly had a love and talent for music and played in many bands in the Williamsport area, including the Repasz and New Horizons and Teteque Bands and other ensembles as recently as May, 2024
• Bob always sought ways to engage with the world around him, he kept busy and was highly service-oriented. He was known for his loving nature, kindness, generosity and devotion to family, which he demonstrated through his constant acts of giving, doing, and involvement with others.
• Your Committee recommends the adoption of the following Resolutions:

   NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned Committee appointed by this Court, joined in by the Lycoming County Bar, do hereby recognize the passing of Robert C. Wise, Esquire, and in his death, we remember his many contributions to the citizens of Lycoming County and to this Bar.

   RESOLVED FURTHER that these Resolutions and statements be spread at length, upon the Minutes of Your Honorable Court with copies sent to Robert C. Wise’s children and be published in the Lycoming Reporter.

   RESOLVED FINALLY that this Court and the Lycoming Bar extend to Robert C. Wise’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other family members, our deep heartfelt expression of sympathy and prayers.

          Respectfully submitted

                William S. Kieser

                Charles F. Greevy, III

                Edward S. Mitchell

                David C. Raker, Chairman