Frederik Wisse

Frederik Wisse of Vernon B.C. passed away on January 4, 2026 at the age of 87. Expressing feelings of gratitude, contentment, and peace, he leaves behind a long legacy of family commitment, scholarship, teaching, travel and appreciation for the natural world. He was delighted to share a celebration of his life with family just a week before his passing, including wife Ina, sons Craig (Kathryn), Brent (Jodi) and Eric, and grandchildren Brett, Erika, Czarina, Jessica, Caenen, Charlotte and Holly. Greatly buoying his spirits, he was also able to connect with his surviving siblings in the Netherlands, and daughter-in-law Tanya in Central America.

Born October 28, 1938 in Breukelen, Holland his childhood was shaped, but not defined, by war. Leaving for North America at age 20 he completed undergraduate (Calvin College) and post-graduate (Claremont College) studies before embarking on a long and productive academic career as a professor of Theology. Holding positions at Yale, Tübingen, Toronto, and McMaster, he retired in 2004 from the faculty of Religious Studies, after 24 years of teaching, mentorship and scholarly research at McGill University.

Moving from Quebec to Coldstream, B.C. he enjoyed an active retirement, skiing at Sovereign Lake in the winter, and swimming off his beloved Juniper Beach in the summer. With the Naturalist Society, he and Ina hiked the mountains in fall and counted bluebird eggs every spring. Serving as an elder and Clerk of Session, he relished the fellowship of Knox Presbyterian Church. Above all, from first thaw past early frost, came tending his cherished garden, yielding yearly bountiful harvests of fresh vegetables and fruit, canned or dried crops, and cases of wine with more than just a ‘nose’ of cherry and plum.

In lieu of flowers, please raise a glass, containing the libation of your choice, and toast Fred. A long, productive, blessed life that he lived with integrity, passion and dedication.