Buna Joe Wilder M.D. Obituary (1929 - 2023)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Buna Joe Wilder, M.D., on November 21, 2023, at the age of 94. He passed peacefully at home with his family as a constant presence. He was predeceased in 2019 by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn.Dr. Wilder, best known as Joe, or B.J., was born in Birmingham, Alabama on March 11, 1929, the only child of Buna L. and Odessa Wilder. He was raised in Gainesville from the age of five, where he was proud to achieve Eagle Scout, and attend grade school. He requested to complete his last two years of high school at Gulf Port Military Academy which he felt would better prepare himself for his early plans to attend college and become a medical doctor.He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke University in 1951 and 1955, where he met and married Evelyn Vance. Upon his graduation, he interned at Madigan Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, before serving as a Regimental Surgeon in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord Hospital in Monterrey, California Following his military service, and completion of a surgical residency at the University of Miami, Joe and Eve settled in Fernandina Beach, Florida, where he practiced General Medicine. He later chose to specialize, and completed another residency training program in Neurology at the University of Florida College of Medicine and then sought out a research fellowship in Neurophysiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Upon completion, he took a faculty position at the University of Florida College of Medicine and its Shands Teaching Hospital, where he rose to the rank of tenured Professor of Neurology. Always in pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Wilder completed additional training through a special fellowship he was awarded at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. He spent his early career directing a laboratory that sharpened his interest in science and developing therapies for neurological diseases. This research centered on seizure disorders and led to his pursuing a specialty in Epilepsy. His research pioneered the clinical development of anti-epileptic drugs and the advancement of electroencephalography (EEG). He was the first to develop the means to measure anticonvulsant drug levels in patients which led to significant improvements for patient care. He opened one of the first laboratories capable of measuring drug levels for doctors and hospitals all over the US and beyond. His impact on the field of Neurology and his contributions to Epilepsy touched physicians and patients alike, and he played critical roles in the development of the drug valproate and vagal nerve stimulation. He was the author of numerous books, chapters, and publications in top medical journals. He was Chief of Neurology at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville for 20 years, and held National, State and other appointments as well as receiving numerous honors and awards in recognition of his life's work. He stayed active in research, education and patient care well into his 70s, and actively advocated and cared for children and adults at Tacachale Developmental and Disability Center until 2016.Over 35 years ago, Dr. Wilder formed the Epilepsy Research Foundation, later renamed the B.J. and Eve Wilder Family Foundation. After devoting a lifetime to research and treatment of disease, he, along with his wife, through the Foundation, continued his life's work of innovative research and improved care for those suffering from epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and other neurological diseases. His passion remains clear through the Foundation's funding of numerous postdoctoral fellowships and professorships, significant multi-year contributions to both the UF McKnight Brain Institute, and to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases. He loved the University of Florida and was thankful to be affiliated with the university since 1962.It was in Gainesville that Joe and Eve put down roots, raised their family, and enjoyed lifelong friendships. They were actively involved in the local community, they played bridge and tennis, proudly supported the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Wilmot Botanical Gardens and were avid Gator fans, holding season football tickets for over 40 years.While he leaves a legacy of contributions to patient care, teaching and research, he will also be remembered for his passion for life, his ready smile, and devotion to his family and lifelong friends. Always up for an adventure and a good escapade, he enjoyed regaling a crowd with his wonderful stories. He and Eve traveled the world many times over. He remained active and engaged in many activities like skiing, sailing, scuba diving, playing golf and running - longer than anyone his age should've been able to!Buna Joe Wilder is survived by his children Terry Nicholas (Brian), Karen Scott (Andy Schoder), and Buna Joe Wilder, Jr. (Natalie); his grandchildren Caroline Nicholas Knight (Brett), Ande Nicholas Bluett (Daniel), Allison Scott (Trevor DiMartino), Laura Scott Troyano (Tom), and Andrew Scott; and six great-grandchildren, Arly, Cannon, Breccan, Demi, Desmond, and Jack.A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 14th. Arrangements in care of Milam Funeral Home at 311 S. Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Please contact MIlam Funeral Home for more information at 352-376-5361.https://milamfh.com/In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Buna Joe Wilder may be made to:The Fixel Institute Dementia Fund (#19243)UFHealth | P.O. Box 100243 | Gainesville, FL 32610https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/019243-fixel-institute-dementia-fund/