The Wonders Family
The Robert John Wonders Excellence in Mathematics Scholarship was established by Robert’s children in 2006 to continue to promote Robert’s ideals, which include a love of teaching, an understanding of mathematics, and a firm commitment to excellence and hard work.
Robert was a dedicated and well-respected professor of mathematics at UW Oshkosh. He began teaching at what was then, the Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1946, retiring in 1992. He was honored with the title Associate Professor Emeritus in Mathematics, given in recognition of his 45 years of distinguished service and teaching at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Robert was instrumental in the formation of mathematics programs in elementary education, the MST degree program in mathematics and the institution of the math placement program. He served as Math Department chair for 21 years, overseeing the department as it grew from five faculty members in 1960 to 35 faculty members by 1976. Robert also was the first director of the Student Union and one of the first advisors to veterans returning as students.
Robert passed away in 2004. His work at UW Oshkosh will never be forgotten. Below, Robert’s children shared their favorite memories of their dad’s work at UWO with the Humans of Oshkosh as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of UW Oshkosh:
Karen Ann: I remember being a young child and having several dinners interrupted by the phone ringing. If it was a student with a math question, dad would ensure the student understood the problem, while his own dinner got cold. This continued throughout his teaching career. Reflecting, I am dazzled by this gesture, while maybe small to him, he probably kept more than one student from giving up or dropping the class.
Robert Gerard (BBA ’80): Dad served as one of the first advisors to veterans returning after World War II. He served our country with honor and distinction as a meteorologist in Europe. In addition to teaching, raising a family, and fixing up our home, he so valued his military career and considered it an honor to advise his returning fellow servicemen regarding how to start or continue their education.
Nancy Claire (BBA ‘76): As an executive leadership consultant, reflecting on dad’s life, I find him an excellent example of Servant Leadership in action, in all aspects of his life. As mathematics chair, he made sure all his professors got to teach their favorite classes and, on the days, and times they preferred. Dad taught what was left over. Dad also specialized in hard-to-reach students. Every year he taught, he took on the class no one else wanted to teach – the students who left basic math to senior year and needed it to graduate!
Mary Ellen: A couple of years after Dad retired, my husband, Steve, was offered a work apprenticeship. This involved going back for some additional schooling. He struggled with trigonometry, and asked Dad for assistance. After his first lesson, Steve came home and very enthusiastically said that not only did he understand the math, but he could also now explain the origin of the calculator, along with other mathematical facts. Another time, while waiting at his doctor’s office, Dad saw a young man who looked familiar to him. When asked, the young man stated that he was a former student. After some thoughtful consideration, Dad remembered which class the young man had taken AND his final grade! Whether you were his student, staff, colleague, family, or friend you recognized his dignity and his level of commitment to both teaching and UWO.