Daniel Wise - Obituary

aniel “Digger” H. Wise, Lt Col, USAF (Retired), 54, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2011 at Anne Arundel Medical Center following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 6, 1957 to Dr. Leon and Elizabeth Wise, formerly of Tiffin, Ohio. Survivors include his parents of Chestertown, Maryland; a brother, Douglas (Cynthia) Wise of Reston, Virginia; a sister, Ann (John) Nations of Sterling, Virginia; and six nephews, David, Jonathan, and Evan Wise and Tyler, Stuart, and Spencer Nations. Dan was a 1975 graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1979. He completed USAF Officer Training School ten months later and enjoyed a successful career as an active duty Air Force and Air Force Reserve officer, retiring in 2005 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his 25 years of service, Dan flew F-4 Phantom and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets and was a veteran of both Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and earned a Master of Arts in Military Studies With Honors in Air Warfare from American Military University. Dan was most recently employed as a Senior Military Analyst supporting the Pentagon Air Force Headquarters Staff where he made significant contributions to our nation’s defense. At the time of his passing, Dan was a member of the Air Force Association, Queenstown Harbor Golf Club, Annapolis Bicycle Club, and JSC Men’s League at Annapolis Bowl. An avid sports enthusiast, he had remained forever loyal to his Ohio roots and was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns. Dan is remembered as a beloved son, brother, and uncle, and by others, as a true friend and dedicated colleague, aviator, and patriot who proudly served his country. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Attn: Donor Services, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Cats “R” Us, P.O. Box 160, Gambrills, Maryland 21054 (www.catsrusrescue.com).