Robert James Wiseman
July 14, 1941 to March 15, 2022
Obituary
For those unable to attend the service for Robert Wiseman on Friday March 25th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. may view it via this link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1647895133173888
Robert James Wiseman, 80, of St. John’s, NL., passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2022 with his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Barbara (Chafe), at his side. Bob was born July 14, 1941 to James and Mildred (Brown) Wiseman. He is predeceased by his parents, brother, Ron and close friend, Wayne Lewis. Bob grew up in St. John’s and attended Memorial University, graduating in 1969 with a Master of Science. After 32 years with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, he retired to enjoy the best of what life had to offer. An avid outdoorsman, Bob loved to spend his time trouting, hunting and berry-picking alongside long-time friend and brother-in-law, Ralph Collier. Never one to turn down an opportunity to spend a weekend in the country, Bob was fortunate enough to have made countless treasured memories with lifelong friends Libs (and Lynn, deceased) Hennebury, George and Gloria Winters and so many others, too numerous to mention. When he wasn’t enjoying the great outdoors, Bob could often be found at the dining room table, pouring over his prolific stamp collection, a labour of love spanning 70 years. Blessed to have spent time travelling throughout Canada, the US and Europe, he enjoyed the company of his family every step of the way. He was the beloved father of Terry (Alida Leykauf), Stephen (Lori Hickey) and Andrea (Tony Jenkins), proud grandfather of Sean, Cole and Grace Wiseman, Sydney Wiseman, Ty, Rowan, Reese and Mason Jenkins. Bob will also be dearly missed by sisters-in-law Bertha (Ralph) Collier, Norma (Bernard) King, Lorraine Chafe (Clyde Dalton) and brother-in-law Randy (Marie) Chafe. Predeceased by sister-in-law Claudine (Leo) Oliver.
With his wicked sense of humour, quick wit and fun-loving nature, Bob will be fondly remembered a million times over by a large circle of family and friends.
The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Program, Dr. Morag Ryan and Lori Metcalfe, RN for their exceptional care over the past 4 months.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Thursday, March 24th, 2022, from 11a.m.– 9 p.m. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from the Carnell Memorial Chapel. Inurnment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery, Forest Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada or a charity of one’s choice.
Schedule
Visitations
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. on March 24, 2022
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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funeral
2:00pm, Friday March 25th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
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Bob was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He gave me my first job as a summer student in 1970 with Department of Fisheries and in 1973 hired me as a freshwater fisheries biologist. He was the Godfather of freshwater fisheries of great intelligence and very powerful with the pen. He was a great mentor and had a big influence on future career and life decisions.
His sense of humour and wit were unmatched and he loved to laugh. I had the privilege of travelling with Bob throughout and outside the province. I fondly remember his annual visits to Churchill Falls in the early 70s.
Bob was a great sports fan who loved his Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Yankees. For years he played street hockey with us in the parking lot of the old Trade School normally followed up with a pop at Bens in Churchill Square.
Bob was a great story teller when talking about the big fish that got away, the rabbit he could not snare or the partridge that he shot at and missed. The many memories of ice fishing with Bob will be cherished forever.
Our sincere condolences to Barb and family.
Willie and Brenda Bruce
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Bobs death..I worked with him at DFO since about 1968.He was a great person and he will be missed. Condolences to his family.
Barb and family
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing .
He has been a part of the Chafe /Hann family for many years and will be sadly missed
keep the good memories close to your heart
Elaine and Wally Schmeling nee Hann
Our deepest sympathy on Bobs passing , a true gentleman.
I knew Bob through his work at DFO.
Treasure all your memories with him and hold them close to your heart.
RIP BOB
Sincerely
Andrew and Christine Daley
Andrea and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. May all the cherished memories you have help you through this difficult time.
To the family of Robert Wiseman, my sincere condolences . I reported to Robert at DFO for 6 years. I wish it had be longer. He was a special, special kind of man.
Hello Barb. I’m so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. Thinking of you and family at this difficult time. ❤️ Love Sandra Bragg
My deepest condolences to you and your family
My deepest condolences to you and your family
To Barb , Terry, Stephen, Andrea and all family
I’m so sorry to hear of Uncle Bob’s passing. As I’ve said to mom many times, Bob was as funny and good hearted as you will ever find. I’m sorry I can’t be there today to share memories of his life and to celebrate the man. My thoughts are with all of you as you all go thru this difficult journey of having to say good bye to a fabulous individual, one who I’m glad to have had to greatest pleasure to have known
David Parsons , based in Singapore ( mother Lorraine Chafe, sister in law)
Stephen, so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad,. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
To Andrea & Family
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing..
We are sure you have many beautiful memories of your Dad. Be assured of our love and prayers.
Humphrey & Maggie
Barb, Andrea and family,
My sincere condolences to you all . I know you will cherish your memories of and hold them close to your heart.
Trina Hann Gollop
Barb and family, my deepest condolences on Bob’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as journey forward.
I’m very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing . We met several years ago on Jury duty. A very hard and trying time for us all. We kept in contact for A few years but life took over. Bob was A great laugh but serious when he had to be. REST IN PEACE Bob.
Very sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. Even though 61 years have zipped by since I last saw him, I still remember him from Bishop Field College as a little guy with a big heart. Always cheertfull and well liked by everyone.
My wife Cathy came to know him when working at DFO in St. John’s and remembers him the same way.. We are certain many good memories will see the family through this time in your lives.
Barb
My deepest sympathy, I am very sorry for your loss. Hold those memories close they will help you through this very difficult time..
Cynthia Cook
To Steve, Lori and family
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time
Dear Barb & Family;
With sadness I extend my deepest sympathy on Bob’s passing. May the Heart Memories you hold help through this painful time. With thoughts and prayers.
Marion Chafe
Barb & family,
My deepest condolences. Bob was a great man & will be missed. Dad & Bob had a such a wonderful life long friendship. Sending my love at this very difficult time.
Barb & Family: So very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family. I’d like to think that him and Wayne are sitting back drinking a Tim’s & discussing the latest trades in the sports world. Hold fast to your memories.
To all of Mr Wiseman’s family,
Although it has been many years, there are still many memories and friendships. I want to pass along our thoughts and condolences from Wendy, Newman, Thomas, and George.
Skinner Family
Barb, so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Our most sincere condolences.
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing Andrea. We are thinking of you and praying for you during this time of sorrow.
Darryl, Shelley, Benjamin & Bethany Lidstone
Barb,
So sorry to learn of Bob’s passing.
Warmest sympathy to you and your family.
Gerry & Velma
My deepest condolences to Andrea and all the family. Praying for you at this time.
Barb and family, our deepest sympathies on the loss of your beloved Bob.
Eric & Bette
Barb,
We send our sincere condolences to you and your
family on Bob’s passing.
I (Janet) met with Bob’s wicked sense of humour
at a party when he introduced me to a person
who he said was a missionary recently returned
from Africa.. As Bob with a straight face wove his story I believed every word! Eventually the truth
was found out and we all had a great laugh.
Frank and Janet Kelly
Beautiful picture of Bob.The love you shared will carry you through I remember ❤ the fun times we all shared.I remember Bob as a very happy man.
Barb you have wonderful memories ❤ and good friends and family. who I’m sure will be there for you
Love you Barb I’m so so sorry for youtr loss.m
I first met Bob, who was dating Barb at the time, as a member of our teenage neighbourhood social group that eventually formed lifelong friendships and social bonds. Later I got to know him again in an academic setting during my undergraduate years in university.
My fondest memories of Bob were having great evening chats on the sidewalk of Freshwater Road in front of Hennebury’s house and playing soccer in the field behind Morris Service Station. As others have attested, he always had a quick wit coupled with a hearty laugh. He tended to be the group negotiator when things did not go along too well, as we slowly learned about life and trudged though social interactions on our way to merging into adults.
Bob was a truly nice person who really cared about people, friends and family. He will be truly missed, but always remembered, by friends near and far.
My sincere condolences to Barb and family.
Ralph and I sending our deepest condolences to Barb, Steve, Terry and Andrea and grandchildren. Since the first time I met Bob when Lori became a part of the family, you got the impression that you knew him a lifetime. He was such a kind and fun loving person and always had a smile to brighten your day. It was a pleasure to know him. Barb, you have many fond and loving memories to carry you through this terrible loss and just know we have you in our thoughts and prayers. Rest easy Bob, you will never be forgotten.
The world has become a poorer place with Bob’s passing. He was, bar none, the best boss I ever had, and certainly amongst the best human beings it has ever been my pleasure to know and to be privileged to call a friend.
Bob was my first boss as a full time employee at DFO and it was one of the highlights of the field season every year when Bob would pay us the customary “inspection tour” for a few days – a poorly disguised excuse for trying out the fishing in some remote part of Central Newfoundland or Labrador, wherever he had sent us that year. Indeed, I sometimes wondered if the urgent need for us to study the human impact on fish habitat in those locations may have had an alternative motivation for Bob!
When misguided judgement caused me to leave the happy and comfortable surroundings of home to test the waters in Nova Scotia and later in New Brunswick and Ottawa, Bob always found an excuse to pay my family a visit. The youngsters knew him and loved him as “Bob Dog” for some reason probably only they and Bob knew.
Barb and family, please know that there are many people from Bob’s past who share in your loss and are grieving with you.
One of the finest Freshwater Scientists this Rock has ever produced, it can be said without challenge that Bob was its finest trout fisherman.
Once that worm was scunned on Bob’s hook, it gave up all hope of not be devoured .
Among the ups and downs of this traipse through life come blessings that uplift the mind and remind us all what essential humanity is all about.
That blessing for me was meeting Bob for the first time in 1962 when we met as Science students, both mentored by Professor Cator Andrews Head of the Science Dept of MUN.
Since then, both as professional colleagues and life long friends , including his wonderful wife Barbara who is my wife’s ( Gloria ) best friend, it has been a delightful and enduring pleasure for more than a half century.
Added to those pleasures are the many wonderful friends that we met through Bob and Barb whose company we still treasure.
At house parties too numerous to mention, an engaged cuffer with Bob was to have the sluices of your mind rent with outrageous laughter and your heart tickled pink with the knowledge that there must be a God as only he could create a personality with so many delightful curves as Bob could throw .
Whether it be an inside slider, fastball or knuckleball, such was his rapier wit , I do not ever recall Bob being charged with a balk or anyone stealing home.
The latter of course would be impossible because you’d be laughing too much.
That laughter and friendship will continue to ring through the hallways of heaven, until it is renewed again, as the rest of us still earthbound enter the pearly gates beyond the stars invisible .
Rest ye well Bob.
You were as good a gentleman as one ever wanted to meet, yours has been a life fully lived, of beating the medical odds, of raising a wonderful family and generating friendships never to be forgotten.
Our deepest condolences to Barbara and the extended Wiseman Families
George and Gloria Winters
To Barb and Family, please accept our sincerest of condolences on Bob’s passing. We pray that the love of your Family and Friends and the many fond memories help you all through this most difficult of times.
Our deepest condolences to the Family, our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all.
Barbara, children & your grandchildren I was saddened to hear of your husband Bob’s death….Although I had only met him once, he seemed to be a nice man….Please accept my sincerest condolences & sympathies during this tragic time right nw….This to shall pass!…..Sincerely Barbara Long Richads.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing Barb, sincerest sympathy to all the family. Erring on the side of caution we will not visit but our thoughts and prayers will be with you for sure . Don and Judy ( Day ) Fitzpatrick
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, I knew him from working at DFO for years and I benefited very much from his wise counsel. He was a great man to work for and he will be greatly missed. My condolences to the family.
Barb so sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences go out to the family. Our prays are with you. May he surround you with love and give you strength at this difficult time.
Sending love and hugs
Our sincere condolences.
Bob was a wonderful soul and I’ll remember him as a such a kind man of many laughs – we’ll be missed by all. We are thinking of Barb and the whole Wiseman family..
My heartfelt condolences to all the family at this time. My heart goes out to you Barb. Sending love and hugs to you all.
Cherish the memories. You have an amazing family and wonderful friends for support. Stay Strong.
Thinking of you all from here in Labrador, and remembering many laughs shared at birthday parties on Tolt Road.
So sorry for your loss. May your memories bring you comfort in the days to come.
To the Wiseman family .
Our deepest condolences to u all . Bob was a beautiful man . He was so kind and gentle .
God bless you all .
Shawn and Carol Ann Hickey
Dear Barb and family,
Please accept our condolences on your loss. We have so many memories of chats about the outdoors, fisheries, conservation and family-often in Bertha and Ralph’s living room at Christmas. I’m still thinking about his advice on retirement-He loved it! He won’t be forgotten. Thinking of you all, Anna Myers and Henny Buffinga