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First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

1505 Lillooet Road

North Vancouver, British Columbia

Kenneth WHEELER Obituary

WHEELER, Kenneth 17 April 1920 - 21 May 2016 Ken left us peacefully after a long and adventurous life defined by his kindness, curiosity and sense of humour. He joins his late daughter Robin Wheeler. A life of travel, both for work and for play, afforded him countless friendships all over the world, both face to face and as one of the first shortwave radio operators in Canada (call sign VE7TSS). Such was his charm that he is still remembered fondly in countries some people have never even heard of. Ken's official life achievements will be omitted here, as he would've found such a long list quite stodgy. We offer, instead, a few simple deeds typical of his character. Ken built a television out of an old radar screen. He lent his shirt to a student who needed something decent to wear to his first job interview. He dosed the couch in the arts department with itching powder, to the dismay of the nude model who posed on it. He was a brilliant technician, a generous educator, and a man with comedic vision. For Ken, no exchange would be complete without at least a play on words -- consider the profoundly useful phrase, Pickle smoke & Egg dust! While there was always a joke hiding somewhere, it was never at anyone's expense. Except for maybe lawyers. Papa, as he was known to his grandkids, once taught them that the true measure of a person's intelligence was in the questions that they asked.... And so, not to toot his own horn, he asked them constantly. He taught by demonstration that the secret of a fulfilling life is to be curious, involved and active. He's quietly changed many lives for the better, expecting nothing in return. His memory will be cherished by Peggy, his wife of 68 years, and his daughters Cat, Robin, and Beth, who rode shotgun from Nairobi to Kuantan, as well as by son-in-law Tim Mowat and his three grandsons Tristan, Trevor, and Jordan. His ashes will be scattered in the mountains where he'd often camp alone when the bustle of city and family life became too overwhelming. In the man's own words, "Happiness is contagious; spread it around." Special thanks to the caring staff at Inglewood Lodge, and to Darrell, Teresa, and Veronica. There will be no service by Ken's request. Memorial donations can be directed to the North Shore Rescue Society.

Published by North Shore News from May 29 to May 31, 2016.

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