Robert Kenneth Wise

WISE, Robert Kenneth, age 62, of Bellbrook, entered into eternal rest on Monday, November 24, 2025. Rob was born February 20, 1963, to the late Joseph and Mary Louise Wise. A graduate of the University of Dayton, Rob completed a master’s degree of science in engineering management and he proudly worked as a mechanical engineer for more than thirty years. His employers included Monsanto Corporation, Wilmington College, and the United States Air Force. He also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Sinclair Community College where he shared his love of mathematics and logic with students from across the Dayton area.

Robert’s kind heart and warm disposition made every situation that he was a part of memorable; not seeking to be the center of attention, instead, Robert strove to make all feel welcome. Incredibly well-read and witty, Robert brought a smile to the faces of everyone. At a bar one year during the Ohio State/Michigan game, Rob grabbed a napkin and began a petition to revise the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, attempting to give Michigan back to Canada. Though historians may squabble about the accuracy of his recollection of the actual purpose of the Northwest Ordinance, and lawyers would most certainly determine that the napkin had no legal authority, numerous signatures were garnered. In addition to being a beacon of light in the world, Rob was a kind and generous person who loved his family above all else and that showed in everything he did. Rob’s warmth and magnetic presence will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Rob was a kind and generous person He was involved with St. Vincent de Paul because they connected with people and sought to learn what they needed—not what someone from the outside thought they needed. Being able to help those in need from a place of respect was very important to Rob.

Robert’s faith was very important to him and he had a special love for the Stations of the Cross. When he looked at the Stations he felt called to stand witness to Christ’s sufferings. He had a strong connection with the humanity of Jesus. He loved the Christmas mass of the Good Shepherd because of the focus on the humanness of the Holy Family. He also loved the Crossroads teachings (not so much the music) because he could relate it to everyday life. He was very involved in St. Augustine for many years including teaching 5th grade CCD and helping with many of the activities.

He worked at St. Augustine in Waynesville with his wife Jen, who he loved dearly. They worked together and did life together. They lived across the street from each other when they were young and God brought them back together. He loved her voice and said she could sing like an angel.

Rob was a faithful Bengals fan (like his daughter Betsy), even during the years when the team was not performing well (like right now). He was a lover of history and shared that with his daughter Mary. He didn’t like things left undone. He loved to work and enjoyed the sense of accomplishment when things were successfully completed. Everyone at work loved Rob and his team in CA even named a street after him. His work life was his family.

Mary Ann Wise, who by the grace of God was reunited with Rob a year and a half ago after being separated for 40years (he loved saying 40) loved him fiercely. The love and bond they shared was extremely powerful and almost overwhelming. Rob always said it should be a Hallmark movie because they were college sweethearts that got a second chance. So, he wanted to petition to have Hallmark have an engineer in one of its story lines.

And his love for his daughters was powerful. He loved them in their unique ways and went out of his way to do things to connect with them i.e. reading history books so they could share what they learned, going to sporting events or sharing Bengals stories together. And he so valued his time with his grandchildren and loved being an Opa. He also was a father figure to his son-in- law Brett – who was actually more like a son to him. He loved talking with him and guiding him.

Along with his parents, Rob is preceded in death by his wife of thirty-five years, Jennifer Wise. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Ann Wise daughters, Mary (Brett) Scheiner and Betsy (Carl Christiansen) Wise; grandchildren Ethan and Robert Schiner and Solveig Christansen, and other family members, including his brother Raymond Wise, his sister Cynthia (Wise) Barnicki, and his niece Emily (Wise) Xanthos, and Ian Wise.

Family will greet friends Monday, December 1 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, December 2 at 10:30am at the Church of the Incarnation, 55 Williamsburg Ln., Centerville. Rob will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul or to the American Cancer Society.