Ronald Parker Wilder

Ronald Parker Wilder (Ron), 85, died on Sunday, January 18th. Born in Freeport, Texas, Ron was the son of Lois Parker Wilder and J. Barton Wilder. He enjoyed his family time with a supportive family of six. The family later moved to Houston, Texas where Ron graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1959 and earned his B.A. and M.A. in economics at Rice University in 1963 and 1964. Ron later earned a Ph.D. in economics at Vanderbilt University, followed by joining the U.S. Army Reserve as a commissioned officer, having participated in the Army ROTC at Rice. He served two years of active duty in Army logistics at the U. S. Army Materiel Command in Washington, D.C. and at Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam in Long Binh, Vietnam, ending his service in 1970 at the rank of Captain.

Ron joined the economics faculty at (what would later become) the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in 1970. During his career there he advanced through the academic ranks to Professor of Economics, as he taught and conducted research in industrial economics, regulation and managerial economics. He served as Chair of the Department of Economics for 15 years. Ron enjoyed very much his interactions with faculty colleagues and students and was proud of the success achieved by former students in universities and businesses in the U. S. and around the world. His university career ended in 2006, as he became Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

During his later years, Ron was selected as one of the Commissioners of the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission, whose role is to oversee the investments which fund the South Carolina pension system. He served in that role from 2013-2022.

Ron's family life began when he married Charlotte Pearson in Houston in 1965. She provided a happy home life and enjoyed a career as a school librarian once their children were in school. Their family grew with the birth of their three children, Erika, Rachel, and David. The family enjoyed many years of travel together. As both Ron and Charlotte were educators, they were able to enjoy extended summer camping vacations throughout the United States. After the children were grown, Ron and Charlotte enjoyed traveling extensively, including a memorable trip to Vienna, Germany and Switzerland during the time that the Darla Moore School founded and participated in an International MBA program that had its first year of study in Vienna. Their happy marriage extended for 52 years, ending with the passing of Charlotte in 2018.

Ron lived a life defined by generosity, care, and quiet devotion to others. He gave freely of himself to his two beloved grandchildren, his family, friends, and neighbors, always showing up with kindness, and a steady presence. Caring for people was not something he spoke about – it was how he lived each day. Those who knew Ron felt supported, valued, and welcomed.

Ron found deep joy in nature, faith, and movement, all of which shaped his life. He especially loved hiking the Purchase Knob trail near his North Carolina mountain cabin, a place that brought him peace and renewal, and he continued hiking until just two months before his passing. He cherished gathering with others to sing in the church choir, where his love of music and fellowship shone through. Ron embraced life with gratitude, curiosity, and purpose – always connected to what mattered most.

Surviving are: Erika Watts (Frankie), Rachel Walters (Ash), David Wilder (Carolina), and grandchildren Holden and Olivia, brother Gregg Wilder (Carol) and sister Beth Null (Ron). Ron was preceded in death by his brother Barry (survived by Nancy.)

Many of Ron’s years were spent as a member of the United Methodist Church, including in recent years at Ashland United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC.

The Ron Wilder celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 7th at Ashland United Methodist Church, 2600 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

For those who would like to send flowers, they may be sent to: Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063.

For those who prefer to donate (and benefit doctoral students in economics), please direct donations to:

The Ronald and Charlotte Wilder Economics Endowed Fellowship Fund, Darla Moore School of Business

Online donation link: https://donate.sc.edu/Wilder

For anyone who would like to send a memorial by check:

Please make checks payable to the USC – Business Partnership Foundation, write “Wilder Fellowship” in the memo section and mail to:

Darla Moore School of Business

1014 Greene Street

Columbia, SC 29208

Additional information about the fellowship:

The power of giving back - Darla Moore School of Business | University of South Carolina

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/moore/about/press_room/news_and_announcements/2021/helmuths.php