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Kimber Wheelock Obituary
died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Lady Lake, FL. Born in Fall River, MA on March 8, 1933, to Pauline (Gadsby) and William Wheelock, he settled for many years in southern Rhode Island. A retired Theater Professor from the University of Rhode Island, Kimber received a M.S. from Antioch University and a B.A. from the University of Rhode Island. He lived a full life as an actor, director, playwright, professor, soccer coach, SCUBA instructor, inn keeper, and father. He had a passion for gardening, exploration, social justice, the arts, Scotch, witty dialogue, the ocean, soccer, baseball, and genealogy.
Kimber is survived by three daughters, Jessica (Wheelock) Cogswell, Cordelia Wheelock, and Katherine Wheelock; and six grandchildren, Benjamin, Hannah, Willem, Miles, Declan, and Jameson. A celebration of his life will be held on September 16, 2017 at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 15 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI at 1:00pm. Reception to follow; all are welcome. A philanthropist to the end, memorial donations in Kimber's name may be made to the Nature Conservancy or Planned Parenthood.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kimber Wheelock
4 Entries
BIll (and Carolyn) Kirton
August 21, 2025
KImber was a wonderful, unique man. We met him in Edinburgh at the Festival, visited and worked with him in Rhode Island and had many very happy, laughter-filled times with him. We're more complete for having met him and send love to all his terrific family.
August 28, 2017
He was a one-off, a man of many parts. Kimber Wheelock - what a name!Like him, so cool! His languid gait as he approached through Edinburgh's crowded Festival streets, so slender yet such strength. The tan, of course, the softest shirts in the lovliest colours. A man of taste. Discerning in so many ways.A man of many talents, a director and teacher whose creative energy inspired students and audiences alike. And then,he knew the best places to eat and the places to avoid.He cooked the best lobster and made the most wicked Bloody Marys. So much! so glad we knew him!
We treasure his intellect, his incisive humour and his huge generosity. We love him and we will always miss him.
Carolyn Kirton
Aberdeen
Scotland, UK
Scotland, UK
August 27, 2017
Kimber was the first professor I spoke with as an incoming freshman at URI in 1975. He influenced my career path in the arts in a positive, inspiring and even practical way. It was my good fortune to know him and may good memories of him bring peace and comfort to family. Susan Boyce
Bill Kirton
August 26, 2017
What a man! We met Kimber when we shared a theatre space at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the 70s with his URI Theater Group. His cool, relaxed demeanour, his smile, his sense of humour, and his quiet professionalism made him stand out as someone you could learn from and whose company you could enjoy. Over 40 years later, none of those first impressions has changed. Kimber not only didn't suffer fools gladly, he didn't suffer them at all. On the other hand, when he saw talent and qualities in a person, his respect for him or her was unconditional. He was a man of principle, fiercely supportive of friends, and angered and frustrated by the lies and evasions of the political classes. He cared about people.
The more or less instantaneous friendship we formed with him has never weakened over the forty plus years since then, despite being on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Kimber was a real friend. Meeting him made a difference to our lives, introduced us to the real USA, and brought lots and lots of pleasure. We're missing him already and he'll never be forgotten by us and all our friends who met him here in Aberdeen. Sleep well, big man.
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