Robert S. Wylie Jr. Obituary

Robert Stirling Wylie, Jr. passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025, at the age of ninety-nine. Bob, as he was known, and Karen, his wife, were ten-year residents of Meadow Ridge in Redding, CT.

Bob was born in New York City on April 13, 1925, to Robert Stirling Wylie, Sr, and Marjorie Flack Wylie. He was raised in New York City, Westchester County, and Stony Brook, NY. Bob attended The Stony Brook School, which his grandfather, Dr. David G. Wylie, was instrumental in founding. At Stony Brook he played football and made many lifelong friends. He graduated from Stony Brook in June 1943.

Before graduation Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. During World War II he rose to the level of Staff Sergeant, serving as a B-17 togglier in the Eighth Army Air Force. Based in England, he completed twenty-five combat missions over Germany.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Bob entered Wesleyan University, graduating in 1949 as an Olin Scholar. He was a varsity runner on the track team and participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials at Randall's Island in 1948. Bob was a president of the Chi Psi Fraternity and a member of the Mystical Seven, a senior honor society.

On 9 January 1953, Bob married Karen Berthelsen at St. James' Church in New York City, moving to Chicago for several years prior to returning to Stamford, CT to start a family. Beginning in 1958 they had four children, Robert, Liza, James, and Ian. The Wylies moved to Greenwich, CT in 1966 where Bob and Karen focused on family, home, career, and community.

The majority of Bob's career was in the textile industry, serving as Marketing Vice President for Celanese Fibers Co. and then Hoechst Fibers Industries. He was a member of the Textile Distributers Association and The Board of Trade. After textiles, Bob joined World Courier as a Senior Vice President of Marketing.

Community service was important to Bob. He was a deacon of his church in Chicago, a member of the Session at the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford, CT, and a member of the executive board of the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich. Bob was a director of the Round Hill Association and the Historical District Commission of Greenwich as well as an active member of the Retired Men's Association. Bob served on the Representative Town Meeting, as a Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and as a Democratic candidate for Selectman. Bob was renowned for his skills in organizing volunteer groups and orchestrating political campaigns in Connecticut for national, state, and local Democrats. At Meadow Ridge, Bob was active on the resident marketing committee, led the employee scholarship fundraising for many years and was involved in the recently completed solar energy project.

A lifelong learner, Bob was a member of the Harvard AMP class of 1973 and after retiring, earned a master's degree in history and education from Western Connecticut State University. Bobwas an avid reader with a particular interest in history and biography. He enjoyed a good game of tennis and many spectator sports, especially football. Bob had many close friends from every aspect of his life, and he greatly enjoyed his interactions with all of them. Bob placed his family first and his children remember many wonderful adventures and experiences. Most importantly, Bob had wonderful values that he lived his life with and transmitted to his children and their families.

Bob is survived by Karen, his wife of 71 wonderful years and their four children, Robert, and his daughters, Sarah and Meaghan, Liza and her husband, Peter, and their son Jack, James and his wife, Donna and their daughter, Emma, and Ian and his wife, Pilar and his two sons, Ian, Jr., and David. He is survived by his sister, Jane Wylie Marshall, of Branford, CT and a large extended family. Bob was pre-deceased by his daughter-in-law, Jane.

A memorial service celebrating Bob will be held at Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, CT on February 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals can be made in Bob's honor.