Robert E. Wilder was a professor, coach, athlete, and author at Mercer University. Wilder was born in Fort Valley, Georgia in 1931. He attended Fort Valley High School and Mercer University, where he received his A.B degree. He later received his doctorate from Peabody College, which presently a part of Vanderbilt University. He married a fellow Mercer graduate and later Mercer professor Mary Robert Wilder in 1954. Robert and Mary had two sons, Rob and David. During his attendance at Mercer University, Robert Wilder played basketball for 2 years. In his last season, Mercer's team was crowned the Dixie Conference champions and Wilder was voted the most valuable player. After earning his doctorate, he returned to Mercer University as the basketball coach from 1957 to 1970 years. He posted a record 147 wins and 168 losses over his 13-year stint. He transitioned into refereeing basketball and coaching tennis in Macon. Wilder continued his academic and teaching career at Mercer. In 1982, he published a history of Mercer football from 1892 to 1942.