Frank Oliver Wyse

Frank Oliver Wyse was born on April 22, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI, to parents Clarinda Blackmon Collings Wyse and Francis Octavus Wyse. He died at age 94 in Decatur, GA, on August 12, 2024, due to complications from heart failure. Growing up, Frank had a younger sister Clarinda (Kindy). Frank’s parents divorced when he was 10 years old. Clarinda raised Frank and Kindy, mostly on her own. Frank attended Country Day preparatory school and excelled as a student. In 1948, he was awarded the Pepsi-Cola Scholarship, and began attending Harvard University on a full scholarship. Frank was privileged to have B.F. Skinner as a Professor at Harvard, and remembered the experience very fondly. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Harvard in 1952, and went on to receive a Master’s in Mathematics from Princeton University and a PhD in Mathematics from Oregon State University.

Frank taught Mathematics at the college level for many years. In 1980, he decided he wanted a change and took some classes in computer programming. Following that, he worked as a programmer for Southern Company Services and found it very rewarding, until he retired in 1992. Frank had a passion for conservation. He went above and beyond in his efforts to preserve the planet, so it was quite apt that he was born on Earth Day. He also had a great love of round dancing (choreographed and cued ballroom dance), which he practiced for many years while living in Mesa, AZ, with his wife Bobbie. Frank was lost after Bobbie’s death in 2021, and left their beloved home and garden in Mesa, AZ, to be with his family in Decatur, GA. He spent his final three years at Clairmont Place, a lovely senior community. While there, Frank was active in the Poetry Club. His poetry recitals received rave reviews from his peers. He also very much enjoyed the weekly sing-along. Frank often burst out into delightful songs or rhymes that he had memorized throughout his life.

Frank is survived by many family members, including his daughters Erica (Mark) Watkins and Emily (Luke) Burbank, former spouse Kathleen Wyse (Erica and Emily’s mother), and his grandchildren: Erica and Mark’s children Collin and Amelia; and Emily and Luke’s children Claire and Nova. He is also survived by his nieces Ann Freese and Laura Barth, and their families, his friend of 76 years, Donald Silberger, and close friend Ellie Cole. Frank is survived by his children of his first marriage, Neal Wyse and Gwen Stockwell, and their families. Frank is preceded in death by his cherished mother Clarinda Benson, his father Francis Wyse, his sister Kindy Gunderson (who died tragically at age 25), his first wife Bea Milas, and his wife of 29 years, Bobbie Trojan. Frank will be missed beyond measure.