David Kenneth Wise

David Kenneth Wise, age 78, passed away on July 27, 2026. He was born on August 13, 1947, to the late Wilmer and Evelyn Wise. He grew up on a dairy farm with his late sister Bonnie Simons and attended Middletown Elementary and High Schools. During high school, he participated in the marching band, United Brethren youth activities and 4-H.

After high school, he attended Frederick Community College for one semester before enlisting in the Navy in 1966. He played in the Navy Band at the Great Lakes Training Center. After Boot Camp, he served two tours in Vietnam: a 6-month tour patrolling the coast of Vietnam and later patrolling the Mekong Delta as a Class A Radioman with Rivron 13 Riverboat Squad. During his Navy career, he earned numerous medals, including a Purple Heart.

Upon discharge from the Navy in 1969, he went to work at NIST. While at NIST, he finished his Associate’s degree and went on to the University of Maryland, earning his Bachelor of Science with a double major in Business and Management in 1980. He retired from NIST in 2000.

In 1972, he married Marsha Shober, “the girl across the street” to whom he was married for 54 years. They lived in Middletown, MD. until they moved to Charles Town, WV. in 2010.

They were blessed with two daughters, Lara and Emily, raising them in the Frederick Church of Brethren. There, David served as Sunday School teacher for the Pathfinders; Temple Choir director; Chairman of the Board; and Chairman of Partners in New Creation, fundraiser for Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry.

In January 1999, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. With hard work and determination, he made a remarkable rehabilitation, beating the odds. As his daughter said, “he was given an additional 27 years.” In recent weeks, those who visited him remarked what a gentle, good, and kind man he was. That familiar humor and glint in his eye continued until the day before he passed.

He is survived by daughters, Lara Cichocki (Jeff) and Emily VanderWoude (Seaton); grandchildren Tanner and Sawyer Cichocki; Samuel and Danielle VanderWoude. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Glenn Dale Simons; brother-in-law Ralph Shober (Julie); sister-in-law Debra Brown (Eric) as well as a number of nieces and nephews and their children. It would be remiss not to mention the circle of wonderful, supportive friends and neighbors who graced his life.

The family will host visitation at Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes, P.A. 106 E. Church St. Frederick, MD. from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Funeral services will be held at the Frederick Church of the Brethren at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 3 with visitation an hour before the service. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the following non-profit organizations: Jefferson County Community Ministries (jccm.us); SHIP of Frederick County (shipfrederick.com); the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org); or The Frederick Church of the Brethren Women’s Guild (FCOB.net).