John Fiske Wilder (Clayton 1964)
8 November 1945 – 20 September 2024
It is with deep sadness that the sudden passing of John Wilder, an exemplary Old Johannian, is recorded. The St John’s College Community has lost a stalwart advocate for the cohesion and communication of Old Johannians in the cause of a better world, particularly in the United States of America.
John entered the College in 1959 and was in Hill House until he moved to Clayton for his Sixth Form year. During that year, he was appointed a Monitor. John participated in sports and played for the Sixth Rugby team. John’s Wilder was named as an individualist and original thinker by a former teacher who remembers him well. John became the founder chairman of the College Film Society, which he served for many years. He filled several roles in the annual Shakespeare plays. He also served as an assistant librarian for several years.
After leaving school, John moved to the USA with his family and studied for a BA in Economics and Political Studies, which he received in 1968. In 1972, John started an international banking career and married Robbie a year later. He received his MBA from Fordham University, and global travel to Asia and the Middle East followed. John then moved to London with his wife and children, where he operated in major strategic management consulting in the banking sector, interacting with business heads in India, Thailand and the Philippines. John became head of the Middle East Africa division and later headed up the Central Eastern Europe division. Despite this heavy workload, John always found time to attend annual OJA get-togethers, during which he reestablished contact with friends from the 1963 vintage. In 1995, John returned to New York as the Trade Finance Product manager at New York Bank.
In 2010, after 42 years in banking, John and his wife Robbie retired to a golf course estate in North Carolina. Global travel followed, including England, South Africa, and Botswana. John was happy to meet up with his sister in KwaZulu Natal, and they also visited his wife’s sister in Cape Town. John also pursued his hobbies of woodworking, photography and golf. (The biggest room in his retirement home was his woodworking shop.)
An indefatigable worker, John became a founder member of the St John’s College Foundation in the US in 2011. At that time, John said that they were embarking on a new initiative ‘to create a sense of community’. He stated that they would strive to expand their reach among ‘the many OJs now residing in all regions of the USA’.
It was with this venture that the true mettle of the man, John Wilder, became evident. On hearing the sad news of John’s passing, the first comments from 1963 classmates emphasised John’s dedication to promoting and keeping the lines of communication open among Old Johannians. Fellow OJ Ant Gear (Thomson 1963) mentions John’s key role in the successful ‘63 class year reunion in 2023. His championing the cause of the Old Johannian Association globally not only benefited the OJA, but his tireless pursuit of leaving a legacy for financially disadvantaged students has enhanced many lives. Everyone he had worked with affirmed John’s generosity, kindness and humility during this venture.
John was engaged in his community, serving as president of his co-op board in New York, president of his property association in Sandford, North Carolina, and finance Committee member of his CCRC in Wilmington, NC. John also set up an Employee Appreciation Fund in Wilmington and was a strong advocate of the Lung Cancer Initiative in North Carolina.
His commitment to live a life of service for the greater good of all will continue to inspire many generations of Johannians. Mr Stuart West, Executive Headmaster at St John’s College, wrote to John’s wife: "John’s impact is immeasurable, and his loss will be felt deeply by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him".
The Community of St John’s College salutes a great man who had fully lived the life of Lux, Vita, Caritas.
The greater Community of St John’s College extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Robbie, his children, Wendy and Stephen, and his extended family.
