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Charles Wheeler Obituary
He was born Oct. 29, 1921, in Moundsville, W.Va., a son of the late Charles Mervyn Wheeler and Olive Illa Powell Wheeler. He was the great-grandson of Henry H. Wheeler, the first Mayor of Rowlesburg after its charter was granted in 1856.
He graduated from Rowlesburg High School in 1939 and entered West Virginia University on an ROTC scholarship in 1940. He was called up to serve in the U.S. Army in 1942 while still in school, and was in the Pacific Theater on Okinawa. He ultimately retired from the Army Reserves in 1962 with the attained rank of major. After his discharge from active duty in 1946, he completed his studies and received a BS, MS and PhD in Physical Chemistry from WVU.
In 1950, he accepted a position on the faculty of the University of New Hampshire at Durham in the chemistry department, retiring in 1983. He was a dedicated, and sometimes flamboyant teacher, who employed spectacular chemical reactions in the lecture hall to demonstrate chemical principles, much to the delight of his students. He also served as Dean of Students from 1960 to 1961. He was featured in Who's Who in America, 1980-81.
He was a leader in the early development of youth sports in Durham, and was elected to the Oyster River School Board and the Durham Zoning Board of Adjustment. He spent numerous summers and sabbaticals teaching chemistry to aspiring teachers at various locations in Peru and India, working with the U.S. Agency for International Development and American College in Madurai, India, where he was the Chairman of the Graduate Department of Chemistry 1968 to 1969.
In 1969, he was a UNESCO panelist at a workshop at the University of Ceylon. He was an avid bird watcher and in retirement volunteered extensively at several locations in the National Wildlife Refuge System, spending several falls at the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. He had been a resident of Santa Fe since 1991.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Wickers Wheeler; brothers, Philip (June) of Delaware, and Herbert Haynes (Bonnie) of Florida,; children, Charles (Karen) of Santa Fe, N.M., Randy (Janus) of Florida, Jennifer (Tom) Hamilton of Nashville, Tenn., Kathy (Bob Harrington) Wheeler of Cambridge, Mass., Timothy (Peggy) of Albuquerque, N.M., and Anne (Jon) Ellis of Arnold, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Chaz (Erin) Wheeler, Kristy (Stephen) Manning, Leonard Lopez and Andrew Wheeler of Albuquerque, N.M., Megan Wheeler of Arlington, Va., Jesse (Tracy) Hamilton of Nashville, Tenn., Erin (Andrew) Webb of Memphis, Tenn., Tarruck, Jossmoor, and Cassandra Wheeler of Florida, and Jennifer (Stephen) Baxter of Mobile, Ala., and one great-grandchild, Caleb Wheeler of Florida,
He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Wheeler McCarten.
Interment will be in Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Visit www.fosters.com/obits to view the online guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Wheeler
Sponsored by Charles M Wheeler III.
Morgan Hezlep
June 15, 2013
He organized several fishing trips for our summer chemistry NSF program. He would often schedule his class times based on the tides! He was lots of fun to be around. Great memories of sailing and fishing with him on the Kia Ora . My sympathies to the family. Morgan Hezlep. (Pittsburgh PA)
Heather & Jeff Smith
November 16, 2010
We light a candle in memory of Dr. Wheeler. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to the whole family. To my friend, Anne - your loss is felt by our family. We send our prayers that his memories will sustain you all.
Katie Ellis
November 15, 2010
My Dad was also in the Chemistry Department at UNH, so we were good friends with the Wheeler family. Jennifer was our favorite babysitter, and Aunt Kate & Uncle Charlie had me and my sisters stay with them from time to time when my parents were scouting out land in Maine. I have fond memories of Aunt Kate making bread in their Durham kitchen, and of the old gray cat named "Mouse" (as I recall), with a tattered ear and a tough attitude. We loved to explore their big house, and to admire and hear stories about the many mementos of their world travels.
Later my husband and I had a wonderful visit with them in Santa Fe. My husband is an ornithologist, so we had a terrific time birding with them in the area and hearing about their work in the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I loved Uncle Charlie very dearly and will miss him very much.
Love and hugs and kisses to Aunt Kate and the rest of the family.
Jesse Hamilton
November 14, 2010
It's very nice to read such kind words about my grandfather. He was retired by the time I got to know him in the '80's, so it's gratifying to hear of the positive impact he had in his professional life. Thanks to all for sharing.
For me, he was the best Grandpa any kid could ask for. He and Grandma took me and my sister all over the country in their RV every summer. Those were magical trips to see amazing things that our country has out there. To this day, he's the reason I've seen the Grand Canyon, Gettysburg, the Capitol Mall, Fenway Park, the Petrified Forest, Cooperstown, Niagara Falls, and Mount Washington.
But by far the best place he ever took me sits off a Maine state blacktop highway, 13 miles down a gravel road to a cabin he built himself called Little Fellow. There, on the shores of Lake Aziscohos, is perhaps Grandpa's favorite place, his "$1 million view for a thousand bucks," or the price he paid for the land in the 60's, he was often proud to note.
That view from the Maine woods over the water is my signature memory of my grandfather. Thanks, Grandpa.
Love,
Jesse
GERALD BOWEN
November 11, 2010
HE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ME....I LOVED HIM IN HIS PHSICAL CHEMISTRY CLASS.
GERALD BOWEN MD FACP AGA
25 CROSS STREET
SHREWSBURY MA. 01545
November 10, 2010
I also took Dr. Wheeler's chemistry class many years ago when I was a freshman at UNH. He was a wonderful teacher and always helpful when I had a question. My sincere sympathy. Alice Mullen, Derry, NH
Jim Morrison
November 8, 2010
When I was a young chemistry faculty member Charlie gave me good advice on several occasions. He also introduced us to gardening at Lyle Ford's property where he often served as a kind of surrogate grandfather figure to our young son who took a liking to him. The two of them had conversations about gardening, vegetables and life. Charley was a generous, wise, complex, sometimes challenging, man, and a great chemistry teacher. He was a good friend. Judy and I send our sympathies to Katy and to his family.
Carole/Richard Von Hor
November 6, 2010
Sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Wheeler. My husband had him for a couple of courses and I worked in the Chemistry Department. Carole and Richard Von Hor
Paul & Lucille Hodsdon
November 5, 2010
Charlie as he was know to us on Aziscohos Lake, Maine was one of a kind. He spent many summers at his beloved camp until ill health changed his plans. He was a friend to all and a great story teller about all his travels. He will be missed.
Ed Matthews
November 5, 2010
Mr. Wheeler was the Best Chemistry Teacher ever, Thank God for him.
Linda D.
November 5, 2010
Though I have been out of school for over 30 years now, Dr. Wheeler was my favorite instructor. It was amazing how in a huge class of students he actually knew who we were and made us feel important! My condolences. linda
Carolyn Barnes
November 5, 2010
Charles Wheeler is the reason why I completed my science degree at UNH. Entering UNH as a older student I lacked the math skills needed to pass chemistry. Rather than let me drop out, he simply called me into his office and taught me the basic math I needed to know to succeed. I have often spoken of him over the years.
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