Denzel N. Wiser

Denzel Nolan Wiser passed away quietly on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at his home in Vancouver, WA. He was 92 years old. He was the son of Erwin Douglas Wiser and Wanda Thompson. Denzel (Denny) was the fifth of nine children and grew up on a farm on the western edge of Lewiston, UT. He graduated from North Cache High School in 1948 and attended Utah State College the following fall where he majored in Aeronautics. It was his dream to become a pilot. The Korean War began in 1950 and his National Guard Battalion was ordered to active duty so he shipped off to Korea. Denny's mechanical prowess kept him busy maintaining equipment, vehicles, and aircraft. He flew some reconnaissance missions and was awarded a purple heart for injuries sustained in the line of duty. After his discharge in December of 1951 he went on to continue studies at Utah State. Denny took a job with the Boeing Company and moved to Seattle, WA. His education continued at the University of Washington where he earned a Bachelor's in Aeronautical Engineering in 1956. Lockheed Missile and Space Company hired Denzel and paid for his Master's degree at University of Southern California and Stanford. He completed another Master's degree in the 1970's at Stanford. During his time at the University of Washington, he married the love of his life, Beverly Ann Morgan (Bev) of Spokane, WA (1955). They settled in the city of Santa Clara, CA when it was just changing from being a leader in agriculture to becoming the center of the computer industry. Denny and Bev raised 5 children there. Deborah Ann (Fry) Wiser, Jay Douglas Wiser, Steven Bruce Wiser, David Bryan Wiser, Michael Dennis Wiser, and Paul Jeffrey Wiser (who died shortly after birth). Though his job as a "rocket scientist" kept him involved in design work on military aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and finally the Space Shuttle, his greatest work was with his family and his religion. Denzel was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For over 65 years he served in a variety of callings including Bishop, Stake President, Regional Representative, Seattle Temple President, and Family History Missionary. Many were affected by his friendly nature, selfless devotion to duty, and the strength of his testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Outside of his work and church service, Denny loved sports and family campouts. He tinkered on cars in the garage with his kids and was their biggest supporter. There was never a question about his feelings for his wife, Beverly. They were kindred spirits in all aspects of their life. On one particular anniversary celebration they unknowingly bought each other the exact same card! Denzel was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Wanda Thompson; siblings, Erwin Dee Wiser, Genevieve (Denning) Wiser, Sylmar Thompson Wiser, Anita (Raymond) Wiser, Robert Clayne Wiser, and Gwen Wiser; and his son, Paul Jeffrey Wiser. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann (Morgan) Wiser; children, Deborah Ann Fry (Donald), Jay Douglas Wiser (Deborah), Steven Bruce Wiser, David Bryan Wiser (Sandy), and Michael Dennis Wiser (Anyolina); brothers, James Gordon Wiser (Eva) and Burdette Wiser; 28 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. In memory of Denzel's passing a service will be held at the Vancouver North Stake Center building on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 11:00am. A brief gathering for friends and loved ones will be held beforehand at 10:00am in the Relief Society room. The burial will occur at 1:00pm at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens, in Vancouver, WA. The service will be available for viewing on a Zoom Link beginning at 10:30am, Monday.Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85126502839?pwd=K3JXeFd5STluQ1lJanVJTktpN0hkdz09Meeting ID: 851 2650 2839Passcode: 701480 Flowers may be sent to Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, 1101 NE 112th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98684. Deliveries will be accepted 7 days a week with a deadline of Monday at 8:00am. Flowers may also be sent to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building at 11101 NE 119th St, Vancouver, WA 98662 (deliveries will only be accepted Monday between 9:00 - 10:30).

Denzel N. Wiser

May 25, 1930 - September 11, 2022