He graduated from Higginsville High School (1959), earned his B.S at Central Missouri State College (1963), his M.S. at Fort Hays Kansas State College (1967) and his Ph.D. at Texas Tech University (1972). He served in the Army Reserve from 1963 - 1969. He worked at UAM for 30 years, teaching 18 different courses in biology, wildlife management and environmental science. He was a nominee for Alpha Chi Teacher of the Year six times and won the award in 1993 and 1995. He was nominated twice for both the UAM Human Relations Award and the Faculty Excellence Award. He was awarded the Gold Faculty Excellence award in 1996. He was co-founder of the Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society and served as co-advisor of the Biology Club. He served as Treasurer of the Arkansas Academy of Science for 10 years, Secretary-Treasurer of the Arkansas Chapter of The Wildlife Society for one year and a six-month stent as Acting Head of the Department of Biology, UAM. He touched thousands of lives, some who became our present doctors, nurses, wildlife agents, teachers and researchers.
His hobbies included building muzzleloading firearms and accoutrements, competitive target shooting, primitive camping, early American history, general aviation, constructing home-built aircraft and genealogy. He was a long-time member of the National Rifle Association, Arkansas Muzzle Loading Association, Jefferson County Gun Club and Cowboy Action Division of the Mountain Valley Sportsman's Association. He learned to love shooting sports at age six, when his dad gave him his first gun. He participated in matches and rendezvous across the nation, loving every minute of it.
He is survived by his wife of 55 yeas, Suzanne Fowler Wiley of Monticello, AR; three brothers, Bill Wiley of Raymore, MO, John Wiley of Marion, KS and Tom Wiley of Higginsville, MO; two step sons, Jimmy Wayne Fowler of Rogers, AR and James Edward Gaston of Little Rock, AR; four grandchildren, Shyenne Fowler Clark of Siloam Springs, AR, Michael Fowler of Yuma, AZ, Margot Peter of Prescott, AZ and Phillip Gaston of Crested Butte, CO; and two great grandchildren, Lennox Fowler and Gabriel Clark.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel in Monticello, AR. After the service, a reception for friends and family will be held in the Turner Neal Museum of Natural History on the UAM campus. In his honor, donations may be made to the Robert W. Wiley Scholarship Fund at UAM by calling or sending to: University of AR at Monticello, Office of Advancement, Roxanne Smith, PO Box 3520, Monticello, AR 71656
A grave side service will be held at 2:00 PM on September 7, 2024, at the City Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. A reception will follow.
Condolences(19)
Timothy Scott
benton, AR Friday, August 16, 2024 He was a good man and a great biologist mentor. Couldn’t ask for the best. Dr. Edmund Bacon also. Tim. 1978. A great skeet shooter!Paul Graham
Westfield, NY Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Dear Suzanne, I extend my deepest condolences to you and your family over Bob’s passing. I lived right behind you and Bob for many years on the UAM campus. Walking to work at the library and returning home, I had the best conversations with you about horses and with Bob about wildlife and his deep respect for all things living. You both impressed me with your kind and generous spirits, so much so, that now 50 years later I still remember it. I am grateful to you and Bob for touching my life.Janetta Staudinger Pugh
, Saturday, August 10, 2024 Dr. Wiley was a volunteer instructor for the Saturday gifted and talented science alliance school for middle school students. I learned to use a microscope and about bird watching during his class. I then had the privilege of being a student in his biology courses during my time at UAM. His office was always open to us and I felt his encouragement to master the material often. My deepest sympathy to his family.Kelly Winningham
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR Monday, August 5, 2024 I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Dr. Wylie. He was one of my favorite professors at UAM and always encouraged me and other classmates to strive for excellence. Dr. Wylie was an incredible teacher, mentor, and friend to so many students and other faculty members over the years. He will be greatly missed by all that were blessed to have known him.Chris Barnett
Wilmar, AR Monday, August 5, 2024 Deepest condolencesC. Robert (Bob) Stark, Jr.
Monticello, AR Monday, August 5, 2024 Suzanne,My deepest sympathy in Bob's passing. I was blessed to know him as a faculty colleague and most of all as a friend. He always held my utmost respect and shared many happy times together. I pray that you will feel God's love and comfort through the days ahead.
Sarah Daniel Tucker
Monticello, AR Monday, August 5, 2024 Fond memories of a rare man. I’m so glad I knew him. I’ve been nursing for over 30 years and I still think of him almost every day!Farrokh Abedi
Monticello, AR Sunday, August 4, 2024 Suzanne, I am very sorry to hear the news. It is very difficult to accept the fact that we will not have the opportunity to enjoy Bob's pleasant attitude. I have had many great memories from Bob that leaves for ever, he was very charming, happy, had a smile on his face all the time and extremely jolly. I came to UAM, the School of Math and Sciences, on August 1982 and immediately made connection with Bob. I recruited him to play volleyball in the UAM Intermural as well as the city league. He turned out to be a valuable member of the School of Math and Sciences team and hardly lost any matches. Akram had an unforgettable flight with Bob over Pine Bluff area for about 30 minutes that still talk about it. She sends condolences to you and says Bob was meticulous about his teaching, flying and everything else.I had seen his drawings which were incredible and he also was an excellent teacher, I had heard this from our common students especially Tammy Nelson too. We are keeping you in my our mind and thoughts and sending healing comforting hugs.
Lori McCoy
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 3, 2024 Dr. Wiley was my inspiration. He encouraged me to be the best student. And to go forward with my career. He was one of the few I remember vividly! Prayers for your loss.Alison Barnes
Wilmar, AR Saturday, August 3, 2024 I’m so sorry to hear about Dr Wiley passing!! He was one of my favorite professors at UAM! If I can do anything for you, please reach out. Hugs & prayers!!!Alisa Morgan Hopper
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 3, 2024 This is exactly how I remember Dr. Wylie the best! He was such a great professor, always ready and willing to help his students achieve their goals. Thankful for the influence he and all the UAM professors had in my educational journey. Mrs. Wylie, I will be keeping you in my prayers.Lowell F. Lynde, Jr.
Choudrant, LA Saturday, August 3, 2024 Suzanne, I was so sorry to hear about Bob's death. I had the privilege of teaching with him in the School and Mathematical and Natural Sciences at UAM for his entire tenure there. My office was across the hall from one of the rooms where he taught so I could hear his lectures and see his drawings which should have been captured for posterity but I doubt that they were. I will never forget the day that Bob took me for a flight over the southeast Arkansas delta where I saw thousands of geese. He was an excellent teacher, an honorable man, and someone I am very glad to have known and called a friend. May God receive his soul and comfort you and your family.Kent Davis
Maumelle, AR Friday, August 2, 2024 Suzanne, I am so sorry for your loss, I did not know him very well, I bet he was a good Man, PrayersELGENIA AND JIM ROSS
MONTICELLO, AR Friday, August 2, 2024 Thanking of you and your family at this time. With much love, Elgenia and Jim RossLarry Gadt
LWRNCE, KS Thursday, August 1, 2024 Suzanne, Jacqueline and I send our thoughts and prayers your way. Ace was a special friend and we had a lot of good times in high school, college, and summers, including the wheat harvest. I will miss him. LarryHarry L Densmore III
Star City, AR Thursday, August 1, 2024 SuzanneBob will be greatly missed. God hand of peace be upon you
lelia davis
Monticello, AR Thursday, August 1, 2024 Suzanne Iam truly sorry to hear about Mr Bob's passing. I have fond memories of my and his talks while I was at your home. He was a great man and I will always have highest respect for him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this time.Blake Sasse
Mayflower, AR Thursday, August 1, 2024 Although I don't believe I ever met Dr. Wiley, I did want to recognize his service to the Arkansas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, of which he was a charter member when the chapter formed in 1972. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Chapter in 1979-1980.Charles and Evelyn Marcks
Columbia, MO Thursday, August 1, 2024 Suzanne - so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I have many fond memories of Bob during our high school and college days - particularly the summer we spent on the Wheat Harvest working for Max and Larry Croisant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless.Charlie and Evelyn Marcks