Robert C. "Bob" Wylie, 103, of Wausau, died on November 2, 2026. His life spanned more than a century and included service in World War II, a career helping manage the Wisconsin River, and decades devoted to aviation, music, family, and the Wausau community.

Bob was born October 18, 1923, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to George H. and Blanche A. (Zink) Wylie. He and his sister, Phyllis (Wylie) Dulich, were raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan. On January 31, 1944, he married Grace L. Gribble of Ironwood, Michigan. They made their home in Wausau, where they raised three children, Rick, Luanne, and Rod. Bob and Grace shared 74 years of marriage before her death in 2018.

Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 with the 320th Combat Engineer Battalion, 95th Infantry Division, including 13 months in the European Theater during World War II. He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1947.

That September, he began a 39-year career with Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company, which operates a reservoir system to regulate the flow of the Wisconsin River. A licensed professional engineer, Bob progressed from field engineer to president and director, retiring in 1986. He continued contributing as a consultant until 2016.

Flying was a lifelong passion. Bob earned his private pilot's license in 1953 and kept a Piper Cub floatplane on Lake Wausau for 33 years. He helped preserve the stories of local aviation through his book, Wings North, Wausau's Aviation History, published in 2001. He also served on the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame's board of directors and on aviation scholarship selection committees, supporting opportunities for future pilots. He was still taking to the skies at 100, marking the milestone with a birthday flight.

Music was another enduring part of Bob's life. He played saxophone in community concert, jazz, and dance bands for decades, including the Wausau Concert Band, Mosinee Community Band, and Swing City Dance Band. His interests also took him outdoors: playing tennis into his 90's, sailing in the Apostle Islands, horseback hunting in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and scuba diving for both work and pleasure.

Bob was active in the Wausau community for many years. He served as president of the Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce in 1968 and held leadership and advisory roles with local hospitals, arts organizations, and professional engineering groups. A longtime member of First United Methodist Church, which he joined in 1947, he served on its board of trustees and chaired its sanctuary building committee. He also volunteered with the Marathon County Historical Society and delivered meals through Wausau Mobile Meals.

His interest in history extended to his own family and experiences. In addition to researching family genealogy, Bob wrote accounts of his military service, musical life, and engineering career, helping preserve that history for future generations.

To his family, he was "Grandpa Bob," a steady presence across generations. He took great interest in his grandchildren's lives and activities, following their pursuits closely and sharing in their accomplishments. For decades, he held a cherished place at the heart of the family.

Bob is survived by his children, Richard Wylie (Sister Bay, WI), Luanne (Donald) Bradford (Wausau, WI), and Rodney Wylie (Green Bay, WI); six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and former daughter in law Susan (Dittmar) Wylie (Pulaski, WI).

His grandchildren and their families are Andrew (Katherine) Bradford (De Pere, WI), daughters Claire and Julianne; Mark (Melissa) Bradford (Manhattan, MT), daughters Hadley, Taylyn, and Collins; Christopher (Anju) Bradford (De Pere, WI), daughters Aria and Isla; Fulton (Laurie) Wylie (Oconto Falls, WI), daughter Leah; Spencer Wylie (Krakow, WI), sons Archer and Hudson; and Vanessa (Clayton) Schmidt (Ellison Bay, WI).

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff of 2 North at Mount View Care Center in Wausau for the excellent care and kindness they provided Bob.

A memorial service will be held 11am, Saturday, November 28th, 2026. A visitation will be held from 10am to 11am. Bob's nephew Rev. Donald (Michelle) Gribble, will officiate the service. A graveside service will be held at a later date.