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Arthur Wheeler Obituary
Arthur P. Wheeler, MD, age 58 passed away December 17, 2015. Dr. Wheeler, son of Arthur Preston and Patricia Cecelia Kelly was born in Baltimore, MD. He attended undergraduate school (UMBC) and medical school (UMAB) at The University of Maryland. He moved to Nashville, TN in 1982 for residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and remained there for his entire professional career. He was Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit for 22 years. He had a prolific research career, primarily in the development of new treatments for adult respiratory distress syndrome through the ARDSnet Team, leading to improved survival for many patients. His greatest professional passion was teaching medical students, residents and particularly his team of advanced practice nurses. Dr. Wheeler had an uncanny ability to communicate and connect with patients and family members from all walks of life, setting them at ease in a very stressful situation. Outside of medicine, Art was devoted to his family, love of his life, wife Lisa and light of his life, sons Aaron and Eric. He became a private pilot with a true passion for flying always learning and improving his skills. He also enjoyed music, spending many happy nights in the excellent music venues of Nashville, particularly the Nashville Symphony's Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Lisa Wheeler; sons, Aaron and Eric Wheeler all of Chapel Hill, TN; brother and sister in-law, Kerry & Cheryl Wheeler; nephews, Chad & Devin (Karleigh) Wheeler all of New Windsor, MD; family of the heart and second mom, Ella Nora Hoerl and her children and grandchildren all of Catonsville, MD; numerous colleagues, friends and his "150 daughters". A gathering of family and friends will take place 4-8PM Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra or the Art and Lisa Critical Care Research Fund, contact [email protected] for details. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 615-794-2289.
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Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Wheeler
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
Jesse hall
December 14, 2024
Art continues to live in my heart and my thoughts, prompting a memory or insight often at an unpredictable time, reminding me of what a good and constant colleague he always was.
Jesse Hall
December 14, 2022
It is because Art nurtured and inspired so many and made us laugh along the way that he continues in our memories and hearts.
Michael moran
December 14, 2021
Rip mr Wheeler
Moran Michael
December 14, 2020
Didn’t know the man at all , but im sure he’s watching over his family .
Lori Lilley
September 13, 2016
I was an intern under Dr Wheeler in 1990. He made a lifelong impact on me. I am so sorry for your loss.
Rick Lawdahl
September 8, 2016
I had the pleasure of working alongside Art for one year during our internship in 1982-3. My most vivid memory was not just his brilliant diagnosis of the first AIDS case in TN, but that he did it by himself in the middle of a busy call night. He performed the lumbar puncture and had the knowledge and clinical suspicion to perform an India Ink stain himself to diagnose Cryptococcal meningitis. He received high praise for this stunning accomplishment as an intern.
My condolences on your loss.
Thomas Conway
July 23, 2016
Lisa and family, I was sorry to just learn of Art's passing. He was a great classmate in medical school. He was full of life, smart, and willing to look at things from fresh perspective and speak honestly about a topic. I know he is greatly missed. May God's Holy Spirit give you peace now and into the future.
Take care, Tom Conway
Robert Varipapa
July 22, 2016
My condolences to the family: Art was a great anatomy lab mate in medical school. Never forgot his rhyming mnemonic for Horner's Syndrome - ptosis, meiosis and anhydrosis.
katie spencer
December 26, 2015
What an amazing Doctor that was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. He saved my life and unborn baby last October. I will forever be thankful for his care. Turns out the baby was born on his birthday feb 23, 2015! I will always remember him and his warm spirit. He made our family feel so at ease in such a dark period of our life. Prayers for his family and we will always rememer him. Thank you Dr Wheeler for you care and kindness!!
Dick Duty
December 25, 2015
Lisa - I was sorry and shocked when I was told by Kerry. I was a Wheeler neighbor since the 70's and our gate was always open. I know that Artie was a good scout, student, caring husband and a good doctor. Otts and the rest of the family were proud of his accomplishments. He will be missed.
Anne Fledderman
December 25, 2015
Lisa, I am so, so very sorry for your loss. I am so happy that we reconnected this year. You, and your family, are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dean & Mary Findlay
December 23, 2015
Lisa, and family: Dean and I are so sorry for your loss. Art was one Heck of a nice Man, and YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST NEIGBORS WE HAVE EVER HAD!! He will be Greatly missed for sure!!!!! Please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you. Dean & Mary Findlay
Lisa Brown
December 23, 2015
Dr. Wheeler was by far the greatest doctor that I have ever worked alongside. His concern for his patients and staff was always sincere and heartfelt. He will be missed tremendously at Vanderbilt. I pray that God will bring peace and comfort to all of his family.
December 22, 2015
Lisa, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless, Tina and Danny Worley (Kessler).
Jesse Hall
December 21, 2015
Art will be missed by so many, for he engaged his colleagues by the devotion, humor, and excellence he brought to his work. Our thoughts are with him and his loving family
Curt Sessler
December 21, 2015
Art was a special friend, physician, scientist, and teacher who had a huge heart and a very clever wit. I am one of his many, many friends and admirers from around the country who will miss him deeply. Heartfelt condolences from my wife Pam and me to Art's rock and amazing wife, Lisa.
Will Miles
December 20, 2015
What a wonderful man, phenomenal physician, teacher, and friend. He always did what was right for patients, family, friends, and colleagues. The lives he touched, grew, changed, and saved---all for the better. Prayers to the Wheeler family and the Vanderbilt family. Hugs and blessings.
Rod DiGiovanni
December 20, 2015
To Lisa and family, shocking news for sure. All the best to you all. My prayers and thoughts are for you all at this very difficult time.
Cathy Roche (Kessler)
December 20, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Lisa.
Cathy, Pete and Bea (Kessler)
December 20, 2015
May he rest in peace and watch over all the Wheelers .
Rodney Posely
December 19, 2015
Dr. Arthur P. Wheeler, MD was a very knowledgeable man with a great heart and always willing to help others.
Angi Kiewel
December 19, 2015
This world has lost an amazing human being and gifted physician. Prayers to Art's family and to his Vanderbilt family.
Richard Lovelace RRT
December 19, 2015
Dr Wheeler was an amazing physician, educator and leader. He was a dream to work with and grace under pressure. He made us all aspire to be better practitioners and people. Rest in peace Dr Wheeler. You are definitely missed.
Anna Ambrose
December 19, 2015
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Wheeler family. I can remember when Dr. Wheeler first came to Vanderbilt as a resident, then a Pulmonary Fellow and Attending physician. Over the past 30 plus years he has been a very special friend me and to the Respiratory Care Dept. Many of our respiratory therapists were honored and priviledged to particpate in the life changing research he was so instrumental with Mechanical Ventilation and ARDS.
We will all miss him very much. Anna Ambrose
Tina Dykes
December 19, 2015
Prayers for healing and comfort from the arms of the Lord
Martha Coates
December 19, 2015
To the family of Dr. Wheeler,
I was lucky enough to work with Dr. Wheeler at Vanderbilt for four years - he is by far the best physician I have ever worked with, and one of the nicest people I have ever met. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
December 18, 2015
Lisa, Praying for peace and comfort to you and the boys along with the rest of your family during a difficult time in your life. Art was a great mentor. Everyone has said he was one of the best teachers in the unit. I pray you feel the arms of the Lord wrapping around you and your family.
Sheila Calderon
Monica Schultz
December 18, 2015
May God give Lisa and family a sense of peace and understanding. I had the PRIVILEGE & Pleasure of working with Art as one of the VCC nurses 1997-2010. He was definitely one of a kind, excellent physician and mentor!!! RIP Art. Monica
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