Gordon Wise was born the son of an agriculturalist in tropical North Queensland. His father went on to become Premier of Western Australia, but Gordon's life path proved to have its own adventures, including service in World War II as a RAAF pilot in Coastal Command over European waters.
Through what some might see as an accidental encounter, he had discovered a faith in God at the age of 17. This led to him committing the rest of his life to voluntary full-time work with MRA on five continents. He met union leaders, employers, prime ministers, presidents, journalists, and religious leaders, and often brought together people who would otherwise never have met — whether in Liverpool, London, New York, Calcutta, or Manila.
For many years he was Secretary of the Oxford Group/MRA in the UK and with his wife Marjory hosted the centre at 44 Charles Street and other London homes.
Gordon was an enabler and good at delegating to others, often younger, to undertake challenges that faced him. That he loved those who worked with him and they loved him is testified by secretaries and colleagues who have written of their appreciation.
Gordon and Marjory lived latterly in East Sussex until Gordon died in 2020. They have one son.
