ROBERT WHEATLEY Obituary
Robert Thompson Wheatley passed away on August 26, 2010. Robert, known as Bob, Rico, Dad and Papa, was born in Amarillo, Texas on January 28, 1925. His parents were Jack K. Wheatley and Bonita Thompson Wheatley. Bob enlisted in the US Navy, December 1942, as a US Navy Flight Training Cadet, earning several medals and honors during the war. He also served with the South Pacific Theater as an aerologist attached to Airwing Seventh Fleet until March 1946. Bob attended the University of Texas upon his return from the war. On September 2, 1948, he married the love of his life, Bennie Mays Wheatley, also from Amarillo. They were married 57 years until her death in July, 2006. They loved their life together and had great appreciation and affection for the Southwest. During their life together, they lived in Tucson, Dallas, Santa Fe, Albuqerque, Las Cruces, and El Paso. Bob was an engineer and an architect, building both of their last two homes in the upper valley of El Paso. During his life in the El Paso area, he was a contractor with RE McKee, Brown and Olds, and Southwestern Industrial Contractors. In the 60's Bob started his own company, Hydro-Tech, outside of Las Cruces. Hydro-Tech was a cleaning and decontamination service for the parts in the Gemini Space Program. In later years Bob was involved in water purification through RO systems as President of El Paso Environmental Systems. Most recently, he worked with Alley Associates Architects in Las Cruces, building and renovating schools in New Mexico. He enjoyed driving through the small towns, and especially loved Chope's, a New Mexican restaurant that he believed made the best enchiladas in the world. Bob was instrumental in the present remodeling plans at Chope's. Surviving children are Robert T. Wheatley, Jr., Indian Wells, CA., Jack and Donna Wheatley, San Antonio, TX , and Shelley and Edgar Weir, Richardson, TX. Grandchildren include Kristen and Eric Rosenburg, Meghan and Matt Scully, Mac and Julie Wheatley, Nicole and Greg Stancel and Ryan Kosarek. Also included is one great- grandchild, Brennan Scully. Surviving brothers, Ret. Lt. Col. Kenneth Wheatley, and Richard Wheatley, and surviving sister, Thelma Bell. Nieces and nephews include Bonita Robertson, Estelle Eckert, Robert Bell, and K.K.Wheatley. Bob was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church beginning with his childhood in Amarillo and finally in El Paso where he has been a member for over 40 years. Throughout the years, Bob served the church as a deacon and elder and trustee. Both Bob and Bennie have left their legacy of love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ with their children and grandchildren. Bob will need to find a house to build with a tennis court, a garden in Heaven that needs some work, and a kitchen where he can cook. We rest assured that he is at peace, finally home with our Lord and loved ones. Our family will greatly miss his intelligence, creativity, humor, and love. Graveside service will be held at Memory Gardens, on Saturday, September 18, at 10:00. Thankfulness and appreciation to all the doctors and nurses that have served as angels these past few months and especially to The Garden's in Richardson, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1340 Murchison, El Paso, TX, 79902, or Richardson AnimaLuv, PO Box 831726, Richardson, TX 75080.
Published by El Paso Times from Sep. 16 to Sep. 18, 2010.