Dr. Robert Harold Wise Jr.

Dr. Robert Harold Wise Jr. (Rob), 71, of Birmingham, AL, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 17, 2025, in Roanoke, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held at Fairview Baptist Church, 3159 Highway 87, Samson, AL, at 2:00 PM on November 22, 2025, preceded by a visitation at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Rob’s memory to Compassion International (www.compassion.com) or to Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church (www.avpc.org).

Born April 23, 1954, in Valdosta, GA, Rob was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Wise. He and his siblings grew up on the family’s cattle and tree farm in Dothan, AL. Rob’s love for the outdoors and work ethic began there, and his competitive spirit was evident as he ran track and excelled academically at Dothan High School. Rob went on to graduate summa cum laude from Samford University in Birmingham, where he met his wife, Heath Brantley. They married and moved to Nashville, where he attended Vanderbilt Medical School.

Following his medical education, Rob completed a radiology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his young family then relocated to Valdosta, GA, where Rob practiced medicine for over 30 years. He was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Valdosta, serving as an elder. After retiring from medicine, Rob moved to Birmingham, AL, where he served as a deacon at Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church.

Rob was a man of great humility and generosity who loved his family, his country and Alabama football. He was known for his frugality when it came to himself, but he was exceptionally giving to others. Rob enjoyed singing, and shared his beautiful tenor voice with his church choir. He felt a deep connection to the Wise family farm in Elba, where he spent countless hours turkey hunting, fishing, and caring for the land and wildlife. It was one of his greatest joys. He had a soft spot for creatures in need, sometimes arriving home with an abandoned pet he found along the road. On occasion Rob’s compassion would override his good judgment, as evidenced by an interaction with a stray cat that earned him a round of rabies shots. Despite his exceptional intellect, Rob was never one to seek the spotlight, always humble and approachable.

Above all, Rob was a man of faith. His love for Jesus Christ and his service to the church were central to his life, and he considered his work for God to be his highest calling. That commitment to the Gospel led to many overseas missionary trips and generous support for charitable causes, especially those directed to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of children.

Rob is survived by his sons, Joseph Wise of Chattanooga, TN and Josh Wise of Asheville, NC; daughter, Mary Heath (Josh) Conner of Roanoke, VA; brother Steve (Barbara) Wise of Nashville, TN; sisters Mary Beth (Dan) McCrary and Melissa (Richie) Salem of Birmingham, AL; and four beloved grandchildren, Kenzie, Brantley, Penelope and Isley.