John Wiese, Sr.

John Cavin Wiese, Sr., 76, of Baton Rouge, died Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, from complications following surgery. Born in Jamaica Plain, MA, he lived most of his life in Baton Rouge. He was a passionate man who left a big footprint.

John attended Highland and Southdowns elementary schools, Baton Rouge Junior High, and Baton Rouge High (1957), and Louisiana State University, where he earned two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and a doctorate in Engineering Mechanics/Applied Mathematics. He received the University's top awards in mathematics and engineering, and multiple awards from the National Science Foundation. In 1961, he was one of 30 students selected nationally to participate in NASA's first Aerospace Summer Intern Program. He later worked on the design of the launch escape system for the Apollo missions. As part of his training, he worked at the Livermore and San Dios laboratories. He was fond of saying that one could never have too much math education.

John worked at his father's construction company, H. E Wiese, Inc., before partnering with Larry Sleeth and Ed Haight in land development. He took pride in the beauty and quality of their work that included White Oak Landing and Oakbrook subdivisions, and the Shenandoah garden homes. On his own, he created Country Club West subdivision. Outside of Baton Rouge, he established Flint River Development in Atlanta and worked as senior project director at G. C. Wallace in Las Vegas, where he took special satisfaction collaborating with his team members, including his close friend, John G. In addition to land development projects, he established The Chimes restaurant and music venue near LSU. After retiring to Baton Rouge, he tutored students and grandchildren in math. Throughout his life, he taught graduate math courses in vector analysis, his area of specialization.

Beyond work, he enjoyed hot air ballooning, classic cars, road rallying, and trains, both model and full sized. He deeply revered Native American culture and the American west, traveling there often throughout his life. In 1978, he took his family to Colorado to ride every remaining train in the state, including the historic Durango to Silverton line, 45 miles of narrow gauge track laid in 1882 through wilderness and mining country. One of his greatest disappointments was that his health prevented travel in recent years. He loved playing chess and watching LSU Tiger football with his family. A great reader, he especially enjoyed geology, Civil War history, and all sorts of fiction. He will be remembered for his sharp wit and generous nature by family and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Edward and Mary Elizabeth "Mae" Cavin Wiese. He is survived by his children, Amy Wiese Forbes (Andrew), John Cavin Wiese Jr., (Danna), and Molly Wiese Morris (David), grandchildren John Cavin Wiese, III, Gabe Wiese, Caleb Wiese, Alex Forbes, and Claire Forbes, his twin sister, Sylvia Wiese Iskander (Awad), nieces Deborah Iskander Daigle (Barney) and Lexie Iskander Landry (Derek) and numerous grand-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA, 70816, on Saturday, January 14, with funeral services at 12:00 PM, then interment at 1:00 PM at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, January 14, 2017
10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, January 14, 2017
12:00 pm

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816