Dr. Daniel E. Wise, Class of 1965

Daniel Edwin Wise, M.D. passed away peacefully at his home in Greencastle, Indiana on Sunday, March 30th, 2025. He was surrounded by his wife of forty-one years, Candy Wise, and his children. The cause was complications of Parkinson's disease. He had just celebrated his 82nd birthday.

Dan was born March 27th, 1943 in Chillicothe, Ohio. His father, Willard, died suddenly from a cerebral aneurysm when Dan was six years old. He was raised by his mother, Marjorie. A playground accident at age eleven led to his left arm and hand being crippled, and he was in a cast for three years following multiple surgeries. This experience, coupled with the early passing of his father, would ultimately be what led Dan to pursue Cardiology. When his cast was finally removed, his mother sent him outside with a tennis racket. Dan excelled in athletics and became a tennis pro. After graduating from Muskingum College, Dan put himself through medical school at Ohio State University by teaching tennis.

After completing his residency and internship at UNC Chapel Hill and a fellowship in lipids at Johns Hopkins, Dan taught at the University of Florida Gainesville before returning to North Carolina, Settling in Charlotte, he became a beloved and successful cardiologist. He was a "physician's physician", often running late due to his dedication to each and every patient. Considered an expert in preventive cardiology he wore many hats, as a teacher, clinical researcher and leader in the cardiovascular field. He was an incredibly curious and dedicated physician and member of the medical community in Charlotte and the South East.

Dan spent his weekends with his children, whether on the golf course or tennis court. He bequeathed a love of athletics and a healthy lifestyle to his children. Dan practiced what he preached by following a healthy diet (including some desserts!), maintaining his fitness and practicing mindfulness. He was often on the treadmill in his cardiac rehab facility when patients began arriving at six am for therapy.

Dan's passion for medicine was only exceeded by his love of his family. He is survived by his wife Candace Cline Wise, and his four children: Tami Wise of Columbus, Ohio, Jeff Wise of New Milford Connecticut, Stephen Wise of Greencastle, Indiana, and Christopher Wise of Brooklyn, New York. He was the proud Papa to eight grandchildren, two of which arrived only a few weeks before his death. He was also the loving brother in law to Karen and George Wallace of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Chip Cline of Matthews, North Carolina. He was an incredibly loving father in law to Lilah, Scott, Ashley and Daniele.

Gentle and unassuming, Dan was often behind his large camera, snapping photos of his children and grandchildren or delaying everyone on trips while awaiting that perfect shot. There are notorious Christmas morning family photos that will be cherished. He leaves thousands of photographs behind for his family to wade through.

Dan was a music lover and singer and for a while was a member of the choir at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. After long hours at the office, he decompressed in his much loved music room, listening to everything from Mozart to James Taylor to Barbra Streisand. Dan found great joy in the simple things; a nice glass of wine, a clean melody, and a good story. For a doctor, he had a savage sweet tooth, and often broke into his famous grin following bites of dessert. He could often be found dressed in scarlet and gray or light blue, rooting for his Buckeyes and Tarheels.

With a quiet fortitude and determination, Dan struck out on his own at the age of sixty-five and opened a private practice. Frustrated by a healthcare system that lacked personal attention, Dan created a thriving practice that offered personalized, dedicated treatment beloved by his patients. Dan practiced medicine in Pennsylvania for a year until he was diagnosed with Parkinson's in December of 2021.

A man of strong intellect, Dan's diagnosis proved a great challenge. He relied on his faith and his love of family in his final years, retiring to a home near his son and daughter-in-law's farm in Greencastle, Indiana. This heart doctor had a huge heart and a generous, loyal and gentle nature. He is missed by everyone that knew him.

Year of Muskingum Undergraduate Degree
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