Bert Wyatt Jr.

Robert R. Wyatt Jr. (Bert)

Bert Wyatt, formerly of Poplar Bluff passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 at the Regency Hospital, in Macon, GA.

He was born on April 2, 1977 in Poplar Bluff. He was a 1996 graduate of Twin Rivers High School and attended Murray State University. He served in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY and was assigned a peacekeeping tour of duty in Bosnia.

Bert had a natural love for the outdoors, which led him to a career with the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Department in Savannah, GA., and a 17 year career with U.S. Forestry Department. His special duties included serving as a captain of a “HotShot” crew. A Hotshot crew member completes vigorous training and they are expected to be physically fit for the difficult duties they are assigned, which included air-dropping into forest fires. He served on teams in Oregon, California and Arizona.

He would surround himself with friends and family sharing stories, cracking jokes, and listening to Hank Williams Jr. He had extraordinary physical stamina, and loved to hike, run long distances, hunt and fish as well as spend time on Current River. Bert never met a stranger and was dedicated and loyal to his family and friends that he met on his travels.

Bert is survived by his parents, D. Lynn Walsh and Stephen E. Walsh and Robert “Wolf” Wyatt and Lisa M Wyatt all of Poplar Bluff, his brothers, Kyle Walsh and Asa Wyatt (Mary) and nephew, Charles (Charlie) Wyatt, his sister, Sarah Walsh-Bloom (Richard) and nieces Mila Roo Bloom, Talia Lilly Bloom and Nina Bunny Bloom. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence “Dutch” Wyatt and Geraldine “Gerry” Wyatt and Charles & Helen Shelby of Poplar Bluff. He also leaves behind his extended family of many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service for Bert Wyatt will be held at 4 P.M. April 8, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the Kinyon Event Center, 910 Vine Street, Poplar Bluff following the service, 4:30-8:00. The family would enjoy seeing his many friends and family near and far attend the April 8th, 2023 service and celebration. The family request memorials in his memory be made to: Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org dedicated to helping families of firefighters killed in the line of duty.