Robert “Bob” William Wiley, 79, of Evanston, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20. Bob was the only child born to William Richardson Wiley and Roberta Moore Wiley on Dec. 12, 1940 in Inglewood, California. Most of his childhood years were spent in the Los Angeles area. During his teenage years, he spent time at the beach learning to surf. He received a fishing reel and rod as a birthday gift, which sparked his interest in fishing and pursuing a lifelong career in fisheries.
Bob graduated from Fullerton High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Humboldt College and a Master of Science degree from the University of Wyoming.
Bob’s career began with seasonal employment in Oregon as a fisheries biologist. While pursuing undergraduate studies, he worked summers for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) in the Pindale Region. Throughout his career, he was actively involved with fisheries management in Wyoming and was also a member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS). As a member of the AFS, he had numerous opportunities to travel and meet other professionals. His most memorable trip was to China, Finland and Russia.
Bob was very active in professional fishery organizations, from the state level to the AFS. He authored many publications and received awards on both the state and national level. He was elected into the AFS National Fisheries Hall of Excellence in 2001. Bob worked for the WGFD, enjoying every day for almost 42 years before retiring.
He met Jeannie when working at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and they were married in 1966. They raised two sons. They resided in Green River, Jackson and 38 years in Laramie before moving to Evanston to be closer to their children.
Bob served as bishop and many other positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served three service missions, two in Laramie and the last in Evanston.
Fishing was a passion his entire life. He loved fly fishing the most and fished every stream in Wyoming that he could. He completed the Cutthroat Slam in 2014. He enjoyed fishing streams that showed very few human footprints.
In retirement, he spent time working with other retirees on service projects in Laramie, and they affectionately became known as the “curmudgeons.” Visiting sons and grandchildren was something he looked forward to, and he attended their special occasions with them.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeannie; children, Don (Tracy) and Andy (Christine); and he was very proud of his six grandchildren, Ashley, Amanda (Justin), Megan, Weston, Kaden and Kyla; and great-grandson, Rocky.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday July 25, at the Manila Cemetery (460 North 4th East, Manila, Utah). A viewing for family members will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Crandall Funeral Home in Evanston.
Condolences may be made at www.crandallfhevanston.com.
